Chair of police and crime panel steps down

THE chair of Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel has stepped down following his retirement as a county councillor.

Cllr Alun Lloyd Jones, of Ceredigion Council, has served on the panel since its creation in 2012, firstly as its vice-chairman and then chairman since 2017.

After a long association with policing, stretching back to his time as a special constable with North Wales Police in the 1970s, Cllr Lloyd Jones used much of his time leading the panel to champion better rural policing.

Ahead of his retirement, he said: “I would like to thank all those I’ve had the pleasure of working with during my time on the panel, and wish them every success and happiness in the future.”

After the May 5 local elections, and following discussions within the four local authorities represented, his replacement on the panel will be announced.

A new chair and vice-chair will be appointed in July.

The panel is made of up of members nominated by Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys county councils along with two independent members.

The panel has key statutory duties, including holding the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn to account, scrutinising his decisions and actions, approving annual budgets, and if necessary reviewing the proposed appointment or removal of the Chief Constable and other senior police force appointments.

Members attend and take part in regular meetings and take part in decision making, creating reports and making recommendations to the commissioner.