Live chat: Police and crime commissioners – two years on

This live chat took place at 13.30 on Tuesday 18 November

Download highlights from this live chat – includes a list of resources (PDF, 200KB)

This Saturday will mark two years since the first elections of 41 police and crime commissioners (PCC) across England and Wales. We thought this would be a good opportunity to look back and:

• see how the commissioner role has developed
• learn about the changing funding context for commissioning
• look at how voluntary organisations can build effective relationships with these elected officials.

PCCs are responsible for a combined police force area budget of £8bn, and play an important role in local commissioning.  They are accountable for how crime is tackled in their area and aim to ensure that community needs are met as effectively as possible. They often work in partnership with a number of different agencies locally and nationally – including the voluntary sector – to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

Alongside our panel listed below join us to discuss the following:

• What methods are PCCs adopting to engage and commission with the voluntary sector?
• Has having an elected commissioner impacted on the way the voluntary sector oganisations are engaged and funded in commissioning?
• What steps can voluntary sector organisations take in order to develop a positive relationship with the commissioner?
• What role has the sector played in the needs assessment or “mapping and gapping” of PCC commissioned services, for example victim support and crime prevention services?
• From your experience or knowledge, can you highlight examples of good partnership working and commissioning with the voluntary sector?

Expert panel

Anna Hill, Custody Visiting and VCSE Officer – Avon and Somerset PCC

Anna joined the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner after working in the voluntary sector for five years. As lead engagement officer with the VCSE sector across Avon and Somerset, Anna worked with local CVSs to create the OPCC VCSE sector charter. She plays an active role in several local Compact groups across the force area and supports the commissioning team with their VCSE sector capacity building workshops which aim prepare the sector for any PCC commissioning.

David Smith, Third Sector Adviser – West Yorkshire PCC

David has been working at the West Yorkshire PCC since January 2014, on secondment from Voluntary Action Leeds. David supports the work of the Third Sector Advisory Group, which he established last year,  as well as supporting the PCC on the development of his commissioning strategy. The West Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan has been heavily influenced by the voluntary sector, which also refers to its current and potential future role in making communities safer.

Nathan Dick, Head of Policy and Communications – Clinks

Nathan joined Clinks in 2006 and has since supported various parts of the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. Nathan has experience of supporting faith based organisations, worked alongside the Transition to Adulthood (T2A) campaign, the Race for Justice campaign, campaigns to increase through the gate mentoring services, and the Arts Alliance to make the case for the creative arts in our criminal justice and community safety. Nathan also led Clinks’ local development team, supporting and listening to the voluntary sector in London, South West, North East, Wales and Greater Manchester.

Questions and answers

Post your questions below for Anna, David and Nathan in the comments section or join us at 13.30 on Tuesday 18 November for a live chat with them.