Police and Crime Panel

 A Police and Crime Panel will be established to scrutinise the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner. This Panel forms a key part of the checks and balances within the new model.

The Panel will not scrutinise the performance of the Chief Constable – that is the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner.  The Panel will scrutinise the actions and decisions of the Commissioner.

The Panel will be made up of ten local Councillors, representing the four Borough Councils in Cheshire, and represent, as far as practicable, the political make up of the four Councils taken as a whole.  Two co-opted Members will also be appointed by the Councillor members of the Panel.  The Panel may co-opt additional members including extra councillors provided the Panel does not exceed 20 members and the Home Secretary agrees to the increased size of the Panel.

The responsibilities of the Panel include:

• the ability to review the police and crime plan and annual report;
• veto the Commissioner’s proposed council tax precept for policing;
• veto the Commissioner’s proposed appointment of a Chief Constable;
• request reports and call the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable to attend its meetings.

Read more on our factsheet about the Police & Crime Panel

It is the responsibility of the four Borough Councils to establish the Panel and Warrington Borough Council has been appointed to lead on this work in Cheshire.

The Local Government Association has published guidance on the role and composition of a Police & Crime Panel