Decision Making
The Commissioner is a democratically elected representative of local communities and, while the legislation of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 sets out areas of responsibility and key functions, the way in which the Commissioner chooses to fulfil the role is largely a matter for them.
The Commissioner is committed to demonstrating integrity, regularity and transparency in their decision-making. Decisions range from single, internally focussed, low impact decisions (e.g. issues relating to governance), through to those of significant public interest, consequences and cost. There are several factors that will be taken into account, in line with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act, when deciding on the potential level of public interest that might be generated. Decisions of significant interest that have been made will be published in the Decisions section.
You can find more information about decision making in the Decision Making Policy at the bottom of this page.
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 which establishes Police and Crime Commissioners introduces a number of statutory decisions to be taken by the Commissioner. Key decisions to make include:
- Proposed precept (policing part of council tax) – to be notified to the Police and Crime Panel each year
- Police and Crime Plan which must set out the police and crime objectives and consider how the budget will be balanced in the short, medium and long term
- Collaboration agreements
These statutory decisions of the Commissioner also require a range of supporting decisions for the Commissioner and his staff including:
- Medium term financial plan (MTFP)
- Setting the Police and Crime Objectives
- Police and Crime Plan performance framework and the mechanisms to hold the chief constable to account
- Engagement processes with the public, the Police and Crime Panel and other external partners
- Operating framework with the Constabulary and Panel
- Commissioning framework and relationship with partners
- Governance frameworks including risk management, audit and controls assurance processes, police conduct, collaboration governance and custody visiting
- Staffing
The Decision Making Policy:
- Establishes the parameters, approach and principles for decision making in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire
- Outlines the decision-making process for the Police and Crime Commissioner
- Outlines the recording and publication of decisions made by the Commissioner.
The Police and Crime Panel will scrutinise the actions and decisions of the Commissioner.
