Question from Councillor Hannaford
Can our Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel member please brief council on the recent decision to cut the number of Police Community Support Officers in Devon and Cornwall?
Do we have any indication how many we will lose in Exeter and in which areas?
Minutes:
In accordance with Standing Order No. 8, the following questions were put by Councillor Hannaford to the Deputy Leader.
Question
Can our Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel member please brief Council on the recent decision to cut the number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) in Devon and Cornwall?
The Deputy Leader reported that, at the recent Panel Budget setting meeting, there had been considerable cross-party disquiet regarding the cut in numbers of PCSO’s across Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. She also stated that the proposal had been put forward by the Police and Crime Commissioner whilst, at the same time, seeking additional funding from Central Government to help provide additional support to the Devon and Cornwall Police during the summer months when the region’s population increased because of the influx of tourists.
Despite a majority of those present at the Police and Crime Panel meeting opposing the proposal, it had been carried due to the particular rules governing the operation of Police and Crime Panels.
Councillor Hannaford asked a supplementary question as to whether there would be an opportunity in the future to overturn decisions taken in this manner.
The Deputy Leader stated that this would necessitate a change in the national Governance arrangements of Panels.
Question
Do we have any indication how many we will lose in Exeter and in which areas?
The Deputy Leader reported that she had no indication of the numbers as this was an operational matter for the Chief Constable. She had reported at the Panel meeting the significant effect the reduction in numbers would have in Exeter where the work and commitment of the Support Officers was highly valued.
Councillor Hannaford asked a supplementary question as to whether there would be consultation locally by the Force on the reduced numbers and that, if so, this should take into account crime figures in areas.
The Deputy Leader agreed that a consultation process should be undertaken.
In accordance with Standing Order No. 8, the following question was put by Councillor D. Moore to the Leader.
Of the 17 actions
in Exeter's Air Quality Management Plan, how confident is the
Leader that this plan complies with the judgement from the 2016
Client Earth legal challenge. The judgement spelled out that air
quality action plans should:
1. Show exactly how limit values can be met,
2. Take the route that reduces people’s exposure as quickly
as possible,
3. Ensure that compliance is not just ‘possible’, but
‘likely’.
The Portfolio Holder for Equalities, Diversity and Communities responded that the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan has been appraised by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs following significant local and statutory consultation. The action plan provides a solid basis for developing effective measures to address exceedances, with measures to tackle congestion and accessibility being profiled within the plan.
However, delivery of the plan was dependent on the actions of a range of organisations including the Transport Authority and, ultimately, the individual choices residents and visitors take. This was why the Council was supporting the work of Exeter City Futures in bringing stakeholders together to design a road map for the Council’s ambitions for a carbon neutral city by 2030. As shared priorities emerge through this process, the Air Quality Action Plan might require a review.
The Portfolio Holder also welcomed the recent Government proposal to ban the burning of polluting fuels including wood and coal in domestic burners, which would further contribute to cleaner air quality.
Councillor D. Moore asked a supplementary question regarding the seven air quality monitoring points shown on the Council’s website and the requirement to update the website information in respect of targets and breaches. She further requested that a review of the Air Quality Action Plan be brought to the relevant Scrutiny Committee.
The Leader explained, that although the questions raised were not supplementary questions based on the response given, he would ensure responses would be provided.