Mayor accepts PCC challenge on public debate
WEST Midlands mayor Andy Street has promised to take up the challenge of a public debate over plans to scrap the separate elected role of police and crime commissioner (PCC) in what has been billed a ‘power grab’.
Current PCC, Labour’s Simon Foster, whose job is to oversee and hold West Midlands Police to account, is at risk of losing his job after the Tory mayor won government approval to add policing responsibilities to his existing powers.
He has now thrown down the gauntlet by publicly pressing the mayor to take part in a series of faceto-face public debates on the issue. In response, the Tory mayor pledged to do so – but only after he gets clarity over his Labour mayoral rival’s position on the issue.
It is the latest in a war of words after home secretary James Cleverley announced he was minded to transfer oversight of regional police and crime affairs to the office of the mayor as part of a devolution deal, subject to public consultation.
The West Midlands force is currently
in special measures over failings and has been criticised over rising rates of violence across the region.
But Mr Foster, who was elected to the PCC role in 2021, claimed the plan amounted to a “hostile takeover”.
He has previously threatened legal action and claimed the move would be undemocratic.
Mr Street’s proposals for the mayoralty to take on policing powers would take effect after the next elections in May. Mayors in London and Greater Manchester are already responsible for the police in their areas.
Mr Foster pressed for a debate in an open letter in which he said: “You have long wanted the powers and responsibilities of the PCC, but you failed to ask or even have any regard to what the public want.
“Therefore, I propose you meet me in three locations across the West
Midlands to debate the issue. We’ll each set out our case, argue for and against it and then let the people make their views known in the government’s public consultation.”
Mr Foster added the intention of the debates was to raise awareness, stimulate engagement and encourage more people to take part in the consultation process.
Mr Street said he was keen to engage but first needed more clarity on the position of Mr Foster’s party and the views of its West Midlands mayoral candidate, Richard Parker.
“I am more than happy to hold debates regarding police governance in the West Midlands, but I am unclear as to who the debates should be with and when,” he said.
Mr Street said: “As I have made clear to the public, I am concerned by the fact that crime has doubled in eight years, and that West Midlands Police is now in special measures. It is clear to me that there needs to be a change in governance, with PCC powers transferred to the mayoral role after May.
“The home secretary has confirmed he supports this view and has now launched a public consultation before he makes any final decision.”