Council and democracy

Northumbria Police and Crime Panel

The five Tyne and Wear Councils and Northumberland County Council have established the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel as required by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The Panel scrutinises the performance of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and also promotes openness in the delivery of police services throughout Northumbria.

The Panel's powers and responsibilities include:

Reviewing the draft Police and Crime Plan
Publicly scrutinising the PCC's annual report
Reviewing and scrutinising decisions and actions of the PCC
Reviewing and vetoing the PCC's proposed precept levels
Reviewing and confirming the PCC's proposed appointments of Chief Constable, Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.

Membership of the Panel

The Panel consists of the following members:

Gateshead Council - Councillors Angela Douglas (Chair) and Sonya Hawkins
Newcastle City Council - Councillors Claire Penny-Evans and Kyle Webster
North Tyneside Council - Councillors Tommy Mulvenna and Janice Mole
Northumberland County Council - Councillors Mark Swinburn and John Riddle
South Tyneside Council - Councillors Alison Strike and Joyce Welsh
Sunderland City Council - Councillor Doris MacKnight and Michael Mordey (Vice Chair)
Independent Members - Mrs Janet Guy (1 vacancy)

The Police and Crime Commissioner

The Police and Crime Commissioner has a statutory duty and electoral mandate to hold the police to account on behalf of the public and receives all income related to policing and crime reduction. The PCC exercises a number of functions under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. These include:

Maintaining an efficient and effective Police Force.
Setting the strategic direction and objectives of the force in a Police and Crime Plan.
Holding the Chief Constable to account for police performance.
Setting the policing precept.
Deciding the force budget allocating assets and funds to the Chief Constable.
Appointing the Chief Constable.