Decision Reference Number: WPC4-0016
Lead Officer: Richard Long, OPCC Head of Policy and Partnerships
Chief Officer approval: N/A
Date: 14th Ocotber 2024
Status: Non-confidential
If partially confidential or confidential please detail the FOI exemption applied and specify which parts are confidential:
Decision summary:
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has agreed to renew an existing partnership arrangement with Warwickshire County Council (WCC) for a further period of 4-years (2025-29) for which he will provide funding towards the cost of a number of community safety-related posts that will hosted by WCC but work on behalf of the PCC, WCC, and wider community safety partners in Warwickshire, to carry out activity to achieve shared community safety priorities.
This decision will be taken by Polly Reed, OPCC Chief Executive in accordance with the protocol in respect of working with Warwickshire County Council.
Signature: P. Reed
Date: 14 October 2024
Supporting information
1. Background information
The PCC and WCC have agreed to renew an existing collaboration in relation to the coordination of activity on shared Community Safety and Crime Prevention priorities. The previous DN was WPC3-0085.
A revised Collaboration Agreement covers arrangements between the PCC and WCC for the four financial years of 2025-26 to 2028-29. This represents the maximum duration of the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan for the current term of office.
Details of the arrangements, including each Party’s duties and responsibilities, are set out in this Collaboration Agreement to ensure the successful operation of the Collaboration between the PCC and WCC.
2. List of additional information attached as appendices
· OPCC-WCC Collaboration Agreement 2025-29 FINAL
3. Expected benefits
The funding provided by the PCC towards the costs of the posts set out in the Collaboration Agreement will create additional partnership capacity and capability that will positively support the achievement of shared community safety priorities.
4. Impact of not approving the application
Reduced capacity and capability to successfully achieve shared community safety priorities.
5. Costs (including any identified savings)
Schedule 1 of the Collaboration Agreement sets out the relevant maximum funding to be awarded by the PCC to WCC in each of the four financial years of 2025-26 to 2028-29, subject to a claim in arrears based on actual spend by WCC.
At the time of writing, the maximum award amounts have been set as follows:
2025/26: £202,540
2026/27: £208,406
2027/28: £214,448
2028/29: £220,671
Under the terms of the Collaboration Agreement the PCC can agree to increase the award in a given year, for example, to reflect agreed annual pay awards.
6. Equality considerations
None apparent.
7. Legal comments
The Collaboration Agreement has been drawn up by the PCC’s commissioned Legal Services provider.
8. Social or Environmental considerations
None apparent.
9. Publication
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Unless the information provided is covered by an exemption and stated to be either confidential or partly confidential, the information contained in the form will be published on the OPCC website.
Comments from the Treasurer
The anticipated costs of the arrangement are outlined within this decision notice. Provision for these costs will be included in the 2025/26 annual PCC budget, and across the medium term financial plan (MTFP). Any future cost variations will be considered by the PCC and will only be agreed if financing can be identified. The collaboration agreement includes protections arising from any reductions or significant changes in core police funding or if there are any other significant changes. It also includes the arrangements for meeting any redundancy costs, should they arise.
This collaboration agreement should provide assurance regarding future funding for these posts, to enable more effective planning and service delivery over the medium term.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
This agreement supports the relationship with Warwickshire County Council in respect of the agreed Community Safety Programme.
