Agenda item

Report from the Panel Secretariat.

Considered –

The report of the Panel Secretariat, outlining the nature and volume of the complaints received directly to date by the Panel in respect of remarks made by the Commissioner following the death of Sarah Everard; and seeking Panel’s agreement on handling of those complaints through informal resolution.

Diane Parsons highlighted that 121 complaints had been received by the Panel to date and outlined the nature of the underlying concerns and expressions of anger within the complaints received.  Excerpts of complaints were read out to the Panel by way of further illustration.  Many complainants had felt Mr Allott’s remarks to be “victim blaming” and that his subsequent apology had not sufficiently demonstrated an awareness of having been wrong in his views and comments.

The Panel’s powers in respect of complaints handling were outlined in full, with amplification from the NYCC Monitoring Officer.  The Panel were asked to consider whether to deal with the complaints in the meeting, whether to defer to a subsequent Panel meeting or whether to opt to take the complaints at a meeting of the Complaints Sub-Committee.

Resolved – that the following be referred to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration under his emergency delegated powers.

That the Panel considers the complaints raised at the Panel meeting of 14^th October 2021.

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The Chair then invited the Commissioner to speak to the complaints that had been raised regarding his conduct. 

The Commissioner provided a detailed statement in which he sought to amplify his apology regarding the interview with BBC Radio York and outlined further training that he is seeking to better understand violence against women and girls.  He also highlighted initiatives that he is leading on in this regard and illustrated with examples of correspondence from leading women’s / victim support charities who have offered to provide further briefing and training to the Commissioner.  The Commissioner invited the Panel to acknowledge his commitment to learning and making progress for victims; particularly as it would enable continuity on important work such as development of the Police and Crime and Fire and Rescue Plan.

The Chair highlighted the Panel’s frustration at the weakness of the complaints process; a point which has been made in previous years to the Home Office and which he intends to communicate again.  He also expressed the view that there should be a power of recall as for other public figures such as MPs and that he intends to write to the Home Office on this point.  The Chair conveyed that while he welcomed the initiatives outlined or planned by the Commissioner, they did not address the volume of complaints, the hurt and anger expressed by many.  He advised that having taken soundings across the County Council, whom he represents, confidence in the Commissioner has been lost and it was felt his position is untenable.

The Chair then opened up the discussion to other Panel Members.  The key points conveyed can be summarised as follows:

·       the Commissioner was challenged as to why he felt it appropriate to call on women to change their behaviour in order to avoid or prevent violence being committed against them;

·       the view was expressed that the Commissioner had been “victim blaming” in his original remarks in interview;

·       reference was made to the inspectorate’s recent findings that further change is needed within the fire and rescue service to ensure greater equality and diversity and the Commissioner was challenged on how he would expect to credibly lead the service through fundamental change; 

·       the Commissioner was challenged as to his views that people (women particularly) need to have a detailed understanding of the law if approached by a police officer;

·       the crimes committed against Sarah Everard by a serving police officer have led to a national outcry and the Home Secretary has called for an inquiry.  At such a time, residents in North Yorkshire need to have confidence in their Commissioner and the Commissioner should have credibility in this regard.

·       the view was expressed that it was not credible that the Commissioner felt that anyone from a marginalized community would be readily able to not submit to arrest.

·       the Commissioner’s views and opinions were felt to lack a basic understanding of people’s daily experience.

·       it was expressed that the Commissioner would not be able to credibly continue working with victim support and similar charities as confidence had been shattered;

·       many Members expressed that the Commissioner should resign immediately so that the confidence of victims, women and girls could start to be restored.

·       the Commissioner was challenged regarding his report at Appendix C, in which he detailed initiatives and programmes designed to support women who have experienced violence, as to how many of those had been initiated by him and how many by his predecessor – as had been suggested in the letter of concern provided by staff at the OPFCC;

·       it was highlighted that the staff at the OPFCC should be commended for their professionalism for dealing with the circumstances in which they’ve been working in the last couple of weeks.

The Panel is a committee of the County Council and as such any NYCC Member may attend the Panel and ask to speak.  County Councillor Bryn Griffiths requested to speak.  He highlighted the concerns expressed by some of his residents regarding the Commissioner’s remarks in interview and he invited the Panel to formally request that the Commissioner resign.

The Commissioner was subsequently invited to respond to the comments and questions raised. 

The Commissioner conveyed that he felt able to regain trust and confidence and highlighted key projects underway that he would like the opportunity to see through and deliver against.  He expressed that his resignation would leave a gap in being able to deliver key strategic plans for both police and fire services.  He acknowledged the huge amount of work undertaken by his predecessor for women and girls and that he would like to build on; offering a detailed list of particular initiatives that he has already started.  He acknowledged the concern and frustration of his staff.   

Having concluded the discussion, a motion was proposed by Cllr Darryl Smalley as follows:

Following the comments made by the Commissioner and his subsequent response in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard, this Panel resolves that due to his performance, it no longer has confidence in Mr Allott undertaking the role of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.  Whilst this Panel does not have the power to remove Mr Allott from his post, we suggest that to restore faith in policing across North Yorkshire and the Office of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, he should resign from his position.

The Chair seconded the motion proposed.  A named vote was subsequently taken.  Members voted unanimously in favour of the vote of no confidence against the Commissioner.

Resolved – that the following be referred to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration under his emergency delegated powers:-

That the Panel recommends that a vote of no confidence be passed by the Panel regarding the Commissioner’s ability to undertake his role.

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The Chair asked Members if they wished to continue with the meeting, following the vote taken.  A motion was proposed by Cllr Mike Chambers that it would be inappropriate to continue discussions on matters of PFCC business and it was proposed to defer items to the next meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Grogan.  A show of hands by Panel Members confirmed unanimous agreement with the motion by the Panel.  

The Chair thanked everyone who had attended and also viewed the meeting.  There will be a meeting within the next four weeks, which it is intended will be an in-person meeting.