Cheshire Police and Crime Panel are looking to appoint a new independent member to the Cheshire Police and Crime Panel.

If you live or work in Cheshire and would you like the opportunity to have an input into the scrutiny of policing in the county find the advert information from Cheshire Police and Crime Panel below:

We are looking for a member of the public to serve as an independent member on the Cheshire Police and Crime Panel. The Panel plays a key role in scrutinising the performance of the elected Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner and promotes openness in the delivery of policing throughout Cheshire. Three independent co-opted members sit alongside ten Councillors representing Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington Councils. Independent members are full voting members of the Panel, they are treated equally to the elected local authority members and have the same responsibilities and duties.

Applications are invited from individuals from whatever background who feel that they have the skills, knowledge and experience to undertake this role. An understanding of community safety, policing and criminal justice issues would be helpful, but experience in other areas could be equally relevant.

On the Panel’s page of the Cheshire East website (Cheshire Police and Crime Panel) you will find a copy of the Panel’s Charter; this document very briefly outlines the responsibilities of the Panel; you may find it helpful to address these responsibilities when you tell the Panel about yourself and the skills and experience you could bring to its work.

The Panel wishes to reflect the breadth of communities in Cheshire and welcomes applications from all eligible people irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. Applications from young people (over 18)
would be particularly welcome.

The role of a Panel member is an important and demanding one. The Commissioner is required to consult with the Panel on his Police and Crime Plan and the level of Council Tax he wishes to set for the Police each year. The Panel are also consulted over the appointment of senior staff in the Commissioner’s Office and on his chosen candidate for the position of Chief Constable. Panel members could expect to attend 10 to 12 meetings a year, this includes a number of informal meetings with the Commissioner and training events.

Meetings which predominantly take place during the day, are normally held in either Ellesmere Port or Winsford, but can be held anywhere in Cheshire. Panel members are able to claim reasonable travel expenses and receive a small allowance. Induction and training will be provided. The appointment is for an initial period of up to three years.

For further information on the role of Independent Panel members please contact: 

Details on the current membership of the Cheshire Police and Crime Panel can be found on the Cheshire East Council website at:

Committee details – Cheshire Police and Crime Panel | Cheshire East Council

The webcast of the Panel’s last meeting, held on 22nd November 2024 can be viewed at:

Cheshire Police and Crime Panel – Friday 22 November 2024, 10:00am – Cheshire West and Chester Council webcasting

To apply please submit your CV and outline what skills and experience you would bring to the work of the Cheshire Police and Crime Panel. In your application, please include your postal address. Your CV and any supporting material should be no more than four A4 pages.

The information you provide may be shared with members of the Police and Crime Panel and Officers from the four Cheshire local authorities (Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington), the information will be treated as confidential, with addresses, phone numbers and any other sensitive information being redacted when appropriate. The information you provide will not be published without your permission.

The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Monday 6th January 2025. Interviews will be held in Winsford on the morning of Wednesday 22nd January 2025, with the Panel making a final decision on who to appoint at its meeting on Friday 7th February 2025.

Applications should be submitted to:

martin.r.smith@cheshireeast.gov.uk
or
Martin Smith
Cheshire East Council
Democratic Services
Delamere House
Delamere Street
Crewe
CW1 2LL