Agenda item

Considered –

The personal statement provided by Jo Coles in respect of the proposed appointment for Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime.

The Chair invited Jo to speak to her statement and outline her skills and experience for the role.  Jo outlined the preparation she had undertaken for the role so far, speaking to various key partners.  The Panel heard that Jo’s professional background includes political roles in Westminster and voluntary sector roles including working in the youth sector.  Jo felt it to be key that the public have confidence in the policing response and is keen to understand how a public health approach can help with early intervention and prevention.  She also demonstrated her understanding of the current issues faced by both the police and fire and rescue services and that it will be important to keep on top of these.

The Panel then asked Jo a number of questions in order to be reassured that she would meet the minimum standards required for the role.  These covered a range of issues relating to demonstration of professional competence and personal independence, as follows:

·       Jo confirmed her understanding of the need to recognise the operational independence and both the police and fire and rescue services;

·       The Panel reflected on media handling around operational policing matters and the appropriateness of the Deputy Mayor’s involvement.  Jo outlined that a balance must be struck in relation to communications around police investigations of scale but that operationally these are best led by the police themselves.  Messaging must be clear on issues of public interest;

·       Jo acknowledged the optics of being a York-based candidate working alongside a York-based Mayor but that she would ensure that she is able to listen to and represent the views of all communities from across York and North Yorkshire;

·       In relation to handling potential differences in opinion between herself and the Mayor, Jo explained that she will have strong opinions on certain issues within her brief following on from relevant experience in her working life, however it is the Mayor who has the electoral mandate;

·       The Panel asked about whether Jo has ever been resistant to change and were advised that Jo is open to change where this is data-led and evidence-driven;

·       In terms of key challenges and opportunities within the proposed role, Jo identified that there is an opportunity to change and improve things within both services due to new and developing senior leadership.  In particular she spoke to opportunities she perceived around preventative services to help reduce crime.  In terms of challenges, Jo acknowledged the longevity of the Panel and that the MCA will be open to the Panel’s views.  Reference was also made to the budgetary challenges for both services and the fact that data and evidence will therefore be important in moving forward;

·       Jo acknowledged that workforce morale in both services is very important, with a need to show appreciation as often as possible.  The Panel were keen to understand how this married with ensuring that response and detection rates are optimal to enable early intervention or prevention.  Jo underlined that the public need to have confidence in the response data although the data currently focusses on telephone response rates and there are broader aspects to consider;

·       Members reflected on the relationship between the Panel and the Deputy Mayor role, which is about both support and challenge, and sought Jo’s views.  Jo outlined that she will be open to the Panel’s opinions and intends to arrange to meet Members in their communities.  Jo also encouraged Panel members to raise issues with her outside of Panel meeting where helpful;

·       In respect of how Jo perceives her role as Deputy Mayor, she underlined that she has been asked to serve and drive improvement due to her background, particularly in the youth sector and a crime and justice consultancy;

·       The Panel paid tribute to the work developed under the previous Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner around tackling violence against women and girls and asked how Jo intends to continue this work.  Jo provided illustration of her work in launching a joint domestic abuse strategy while serving as an Executive Member at City of York, her knowledge of the extent of recorded domestic abuse and the need to tackle misogyny more broadly;

·       Jo acknowledged that she did not have experience of working on rural issues but that rural crime is significant and she intends to be out and about in communities as much as possible.  She will put in place opportunities for both in-person and online surgeries to help overcome any geographical challenges;

·       The Panel asked Jo to reflect on how she may work to ensure that the fire and rescue service has a more sustainable financial position over the longer term. Jo spoke to the challenges around the national funding formula and the need to ensure both firefighters and communities are not placed at unnecessary risk.  She will seek to understand how central decisions have been formed and whether patterns have changed to help review what can be done;

·       In terms of key priorities for the first twelve months in office, Jo felt it would be important to review the current Police and Crime Plan and Fire and Rescue Plan in terms of progress and the current position, identifying where there may be some differences in levels of focus.  She explained that she would like to see a change in public confidence in twelve months and to have helped to stabilise the fire and rescue budget.  Tackling violence against women and girls will continue to be a priority;

·       Jo was asked about how she will work with the third sector. Jo acknowledged that there will need to be some stability and funding for the sector in terms of supporting early intervention and prevention so that organisations can plan adequately and employ staff. However at this stage she is keen to focus on any commissioning that is imminently required.

Resolved –

That the Panel notes the personal statement provided by Jo Coles and her responses to the questions posed by the Panel at the Confirmation Hearing.