Agenda item

Members considered the following motion submitted by Councillor P. M. McDonald.

“That this Council has no confidence in the new West Mercia Police and Crime commissioner and his Deputy and calls on them to consider their positions”

The motion was moved by Councillor P. M. McDonald and seconded by Councillor C. J. Bloore.

It was queried whether this was an appropriate motion for discussion by this Council on the grounds whether Bromsgrove was any more affected by the issue than anywhere else. The Chairman stated that she had agreed to the motion being discussed in view of an agreement at the previous meeting that it would be brought to this meeting. The Chairman however reminded Members that they must have regard to the need for a proper debate and avoid any defamatory statements. 

In moving the motion Councillor McDonald stated that the Police and Crime Commissioner was intended to be a catalyst for change and new ways of working and therefore it was unfortunate that “cronyism“ and lack of transparency had arisen in relation to the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner. He suggested that the appointment had damaged the confidence of the public in the office of the Commissioner and the morale of the workforce. Public respect could only come from high standards of behaviour and Councillor McDonald felt that the situation could now only be rectified with the resignation of the Commissioner and his Deputy.

Councillor R. Hollingworth stated that he agreed with much of what had been said by Councillor McDonald but that the Commissioner had not acted illegally and he did not feel that there was anything to be gained at this stage by calling for the resignations of the Commissioner and his Deputy. Councillor Hollingworth stated he had attended meetings with the Commissioner and his Deputy and with the Chief Constable who felt that he could deliver the proposed plans for the policing of the District.

During the debate some Members expressed disappointment that the Leader had not maintained his previous stance on the matter. It was felt that the Commissioner had acted unwisely but that there was a need to move forward in order to obtain the best Police Service for the District and that there would be an opportunity for the public to express their views through the ballot box in four years.

On a requisition under Council Procedure Rule 17.5 the following details of voting were recorded.

For the motion: Councillors C. J. Bloore, Ms. M. T. Buxton, L.C. R. Mallett, Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, Mrs. E. M. Shannon, S. P. Shannon, R. J. Shannon and C. J. K. Wilson (9)

Against the motion:  Councillors Mrs. S. J. Baxter, Dr.. D. W. P. Booth, Mrs. J. M. Boswell, J.R. Boulter, J. S. Brogan, M. A. Bullivant, R.A. Clarke, S. R. Colella, Dr. B. T. Cooper, R. J. Deeming, Mrs. R. L. Dent, K. A. Grant-Pearce, Miss P. A. Harrison, R. Hollingworth, Mrs. H. J. Jones, R. J. Laight, P. Lammas, B. Lewis, J. A. Ruck, C. R. Scurrell, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey, Mrs. C. J. Spencer, C. B. Taylor, C. J. Tidmarsh, L. J. Turner and M. J. A. Webb (26)

Abstentions; Councillors S. J. Dudley and P. J. Whittaker (2)

Accordingly the Chairman declared the motion to be lost.