Council and democracy

Michelle Cunningham, Thurrock Community Safety Partnership Manager, provided background to the Council funded additional Essex Police Officers, deployed as part of the Town Centre Team (TCT) within Community Policing in Thurrock. The Council recognised that anti-social behaviour had always been a key priority for residents, and in January 2019, the Leader, within his Portfolio Holder Report announced that revenue surplus funding of £750,000 be committed to provide additional Police Officers recognising resident concerns and their request to have an increased visible Police presence.

Since that commitment, in March 2019 the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner also announced additional Police Officers and the introduction of Town Centre Police Officers patrolling our borough, with effect from July 2019 when seven Officers were introduced in Grays, South Ockendon and Stanford Le Hope. The Council funded additional four officers who commenced in January 2020.

Acting Chief Inspector Paul Austin, Essex Police and Acting Superintendent Richard Melton, Essex Police briefed Members on the key points within the report providing an outline of the activities and successes of the officers and the impact on the Police Public Perception Survey.

The Chair thanked Essex Police for their briefing and noted the good work being undertaken by the enforcement officers in Thurrock.

Councillor Lawrence thanked Essex Police for the briefing and for all the hard work being undertaken by the Police in Thurrock and how pleasing it was to see Police out in the borough which gave residents confidence and safe. Councillor Lawrence stated that she had seen a lot of incidents on social media of burglaries where animals were being stolen and asked for an update of this in Thurrock. Acting Chief Inspector Paul Austin stated that they had not seen a large increase of burglaries and incidents were not being reported on a regular basis in Thurrock. Although there had been a high profile case in Basildon this had not been seen in Thurrock.

Councillor J Kent echoed the thanks already made for the work being undertaken by the Police Officers for work being undertaken in this very tough year and the extra work that they have had to carry out.

Councillor J Kent asked for clarification on the Council’s contribution to Police Officers that £750,000 of funding had been put aside, over three years for the funding of four extra Police Officers which would have been over and above if the Council had not put that money in. Councillor J Kent asked for clarification on the costings as each Police Officer would be costing £62,000 per year. Acting Chief Inspector Paul Austin stated that wages would not be the main contributor as additionally there would be other contributions around funding of officers around training costs and equipment. Acting Chief Inspector Paul Austin would be happy to share that information outside the meeting if appropriate and necessary.

Councillor J Kent had concerns over the £750,000 funding that came from the revenue surplus and referred to the cabinet meeting scheduled for next week where it was looking for agreement to defer or cancel all revenue surpluses. Councillor J Kent questioned whether this £750,000 was going to be allocated in one payment or yearly so that some reassurances could be given that this funding would not be withdrawn and therefore the four Police Officers would also not be withdrawn. Michelle Cunningham stated the funding was over four years, with the initial plan being over three years, but with the introduction of the town centre seven it had reduced the number of Police Officers to four and had been extended to four years. With the additional Police Officers continuing to be funded from the reserve within the members surplus. So all accounted for at present and agreed that the £750,000 came in one payment. Councillor J Kent stated that this was some comfort that this was from last year’s surplus but raised concerns that the report had been based on three years but to be told this evening this was over four years.

RESOLVED that the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee: 

1.         Note the positive approach taken by this team to community engagement.

2.         Promote the work of Town Centre officers to their residents to improve public confidence in local policing and encourage reporting of concerns.

At 8.21pm, Acting Chief Inspector Paul Austin, Essex Police and Acting Superintendent Richard Melton, Essex Police left the meeting.