Commissioner welcomes Panel’s approval of deputy

Sir Graham Bright has welcomed the Police and Crime Panel’s positive comments in response to his proposal to appoint Brian Ashton as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Panel’s Summary of Reasons for Approval has been published on the Peterborough City Council website today, stating that Mr Ashton is “a confident and capable person with a good history of public service”.

The summary goes on to say that the Panel particularly noted Mr Ashton’s sound commercial experience and that he is “adept in dealing with budgets and these skills will inevitably add value to his role”.

Sir Graham said: “When I put Brian forward for the role it was because of his experience in the public sector and his head for business. The skills we each bring are complementary and I think we will work very well together for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. I am delighted that the Panel shares my enthusiasm for his appointment.”

Mr Ashton will now support Sir Graham in his full range of duties and functions as Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Ashton said: “I am delighted to have been approved for this important role to support Sir Graham with a broad and varied agenda. I am committed to public service and am looking forward to working with Sir Graham and for the public. I note the Panel’s comments on the diversity of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. I will be working closely with Sir Graham, whose vast experience of working in Luton will inform our work to ensure that any issues are identified and addressed.”

Editors’ Notes:

The recommendation from the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel has been published and can be viewed here

A photo of Brian Ashton is available here

Brian Ashton was joint leader of East Cambs District Council from 2003 and became Leader of the Council in 2007. Mr Ashton has served as Mayor of Ely twice, in 1991 and 2011-12. He has also chaired the Primary Care Group in East Cambs and Vice Chairman of Lifespan Healthcare NHS Trust where he served on most Board committees. His experience extends to voluntary and fundraising work, having held a wide range of roles such as school governor, President of the Elysian Riding for the Disabled, Chairman of the Ely Citizens Advice Bureau and member of the Council of St John Ambulance in Cambridgeshire. He was made an Honorary Vice-President by the British Red Cross in Cambridgeshire.

The role and salary of the Commissioner is nationally prescribed by the Home Office. The legislation provides for a deputy to be appointed. The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 on the appointment of staff on merit does not apply to this post (although it does to other posts in the PCC’s office). This post is not ‘politically restricted’. The deputy will provide support to the Commissioner in his full range of duties and functions and will be required to travel around Cambridgeshire and beyond as well as working from home and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner at Cambourne. He will be required to work flexibly two to three days per week for a payment of £28,000 per annum.