The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, including the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Paul Gibson, the preferred candidate for the position of Chief Constable for Lincolnshire, representatives from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and members of the public and press. The Chairman proceeded to invite PCP Members and Supporting Officers to introduce themselves to the PCC’s preferred candidate.

Apologies were received from Councillor Sarah Trotter (South Kesteven District Council) and David Williams (Independent Co-optee).

Chris Cook, Independent Co-optee requested that it be noted that in relation to item 4 he had previously worked with the PCC’s preferred candidate over 20 years ago, however would remain in the Meeting to speak on that item.

To conduct a Chief Constable Confirmation Hearing in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

The Chairman opened the item by noting that they were gathered to conduct a Confirmation Hearing for the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (the PCC) preferred candidate for the post of Chief Constable for the Lincolnshire Police.  He noted that the Panel was required to conduct a Confirmation hearing in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the Act).

The Chairman invited the Commissioner to speak. 

The Commissioner thanked the Chairman and Panel Members and gave a short preamble.   This emphasised his belief that the Confirmation of a Chief Constable for Lincolnshire was a very important responsibility that he and the Panel were a part of.  Furthermore, the Commissioner noted the importance to Lincolnshire of carrying out a thorough and robust process to get to the point of presenting the Panel with a proposed Chief Constable capable of leading the County.  The Commissioner confirmed he was willing and able to answer any questions the Panel put forward.

The Meeting was advised that a series of questions would be asked in order to establish if Mr Gibson met the minimum standards for professional competence and personal independence to exercise the role as set out in the role profile.

The Chairman then invited questions. A copy of the questions and answers is attached at APPENDIX A to these Minutes.

To consider excluding the public and press for the following item and if appropriate for the Chairman to move:

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the Meeting for the following item on the grounds that, if they were present, there could be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

It was proposed and seconded that the Panel move into closed session to enable discussions on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s recommendation.  Following, which it was,

RESOLVED

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the Meeting for the following items on the ground that, if they were present, there could be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 & 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended).

The open session closed at 12:15pm.

To discuss and agree a recommendation to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire regarding his proposed appointment of a Chief Constable for Lincolnshire.

Following the list of Questions posed to the Commissioner and Mr Gibson, the Chairman thanked Mr Gibson, the PCC and his Chief Executive Officer for attending the Hearing.