Panel to meet over fire service plan

“Would it not be a good idea for the deputy commissioner to be on call, or it would even be good to meet him at one of these meetings,” she said.

“So if he could pencil the dates in his diary, just in case anything like this happens again, we would be able to ask those questions of him.”

Co-optee Sally Hardwick said: “I do think we need some clarification on the role of the deputy to the crime commissioner.

“I really do think he’s being paid well, and I do think we need some clarification as to when he steps in to undertake the role because he’s been in post for almost a year now and, really, this should have been sorted with his terms of reference.”

PCC John Dwyer was questioned at a meeting of the police and crime panel last year after giving his deputy a 33 per cent pay rise. The PCC later told a meeting of Middlewich Town Council he had made a mistake when initially calculating the salary for the role.

CHESHIRE’S police and crime panel is to hold a special meeting to discuss a government proposal which could see the police commissioner oversee the fire and rescue service.

A paper on Friday’s (June 24) agenda referred to a government consultation on reforming the fire and rescue service.

Cheshire East Council officer Martin Smith told the police and crime panel: “One of the key areas in here, and it’s perhaps one of the less high profile recommendations or areas of consultation, is about the governance of fire and rescue services, which could lead to police and crime commissioners becoming responsible for their services as, indeed, is the case in some parts of the country at the moment.

“I’m conscious this is quite a sensitive issue. There will be different views from fellow members about the governance arrangements for the fire and rescue service and this is a good opportunity for the panel to make its views known to the government.”

At present Cheshire Fire Authority (CFA) oversees Cheshire Fire

CHESHIRE’S police commissioner has criticised comments and tweets about his deputy not standing in for him, saying he had a preexisting commitment.

In an open letter to panel chair Evan Morris, Mr Dwyer said he had asked to attend the meeting himself remotely as he had Covid, but his office was told this was not possible because of the technology set-up at Winsford, where the meeting was held.

Mr Dwyer said: “I understand that my office was again contacted via the panel secretariat on Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours prior to the panel meeting, to enquire whether my deputy could attend in my absence. My office correctly advised that this would not be possible due to my deputy having a pre-existing commitment.

“The decision by some panel members to question the role of my deputy and suggest there has been no engagement is extremely disappointing and, with respect, unacceptable.

“My deputy remains committed to meeting with panel members should they wish to do so, but it is apparent that no request has been made by any panel member,” Mr Dwyer said.

“The panel’s main function is to review or scrutinise decisions made, or other action taken, by me in my role as police and crime commissioner and in connection with the discharge of my functions. Although permitted within legislation, I do not believe it would be appropriate for the panel to scrutinise my deputy in my absence for this reason.

“Whilst I remain fully committed to attending panel meetings, I would request that where exceptional circumstances prevent my attendance in the future, the panel implements its own rules of procedure and an alternative date for my attendance is arranged.

“That said, should I be unable to attend any future panel meeting, I will ensure my deputy is available to attend in my absence should this be the wish of the panel.” and Rescue Service (CFRS).

The authority is made up of 23 councillors in total from Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Halton Borough Council, and Warrington Borough Council.

It is a separate legal body, with the power to set council tax and to set its own policies and procedures, without seeking the approval of those local councils.

The role of the fire authority is to set the annual budget, agree the staff, vehicle and other resources needed to deliver an efficient service and approve CFRS’ plans, policies and strategies.

Cllr Gina Lewis (CWAC, Lab), who declared an interest as a member of CFA, told the police and crime panel: “The fire authority is discussing this particular paper on July 28 as a whole fire authority and the police commissioner is invited to those meetings, is present at them.”

She added: “Perhaps if the police commissioner cannot attend, something might be done about the deputy attending so that at least he has an opportunity to hear what the fire authority has to say about this particular paper.”

Cllr Paul Findlow (CEC, Con) said Cheshire police and crime commissioner John Dwyer’s views on this were not known but it was important the panel responded properly to the consultation.

“I think it is important this time, where we’re down to the real nitty gritty of what’s going to happen, if there is a future as it’s currently constituted for the fire and rescue authority, we really ought to be in a position to make a proper consideration and a proper submission in response to the consultation because it would change the nature of this panel altogether if it were to go through and the commissioner were to bid for taking over the fire and rescue authority jurisdiction,” said Cllr Findlow.

“I was going to ask the commissioner, unfortunately he’ s unwell today, if he had in mind if he was contemplating making a submission to assume jurisdiction and responsibility for the fire and rescue service or not, so we don’t quite know what the position is there.”

The panel decided to hold a special meeting to discuss how to respond to the consultation.