LGA's 'open door' to police commissioners

Author: Jonathan Werran, The MJ - Feb 15, 2012

The Local Government Association (LGA) has offered to share its knowledge and assets with the 41 planned directly-elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs) – potentially welcoming high-profile figures into Smith Square from November.

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott (Hull) has joined Cardiff MP Alun Michael (South Wales), and former soldiers Colonel Tim Collins (Kent) and Simon Weston (South Wales), in declaring his intention to stand for elections being held across the country on 15 November.

Existing police authorities in England and Wales will be abolished the following week to make way for the commissioners, who will be armed with a mandate to hold chief constables to account, fix local policing priorities, and set police force budgets and precepts.

Issuing the prospectus for a Police and Crime Commissioners Association (PaCCA), Cllr Merrick Cockell, chair of the LGA, said:

‘In today’s straitened times, joining up services and sharing knowledge and expertise are more important than ever.

‘We will build on the LGA’s existing strengths and combine them with dedicated resources to provide a comprehensive package of support and services which benefit PCCs, councils and ultimately, communities,’ Sir Merrick added.

Before the elections, PCC candidates will be offered briefings on the wider context of agency work involving issues such as children at risk, community disorder and domestic violence.

Newly-elected commissioners could benefit from support, including the opportunity of peer backing from political mentors, member briefings, policy and administrative support and use of meeting rooms and office space in Smith Square.

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