Councillors criticise PCC over lack of alliance break-up notice

West Mercia Police and Crime Panel members criticised commissioner John-Paul Campion this week for not keeping them informed about discussions to sever the strategic alliance with Warwickshire Police.

Councillors said they found out about the alliance break-up between the two forces through the press and asked how much the severance would cost West Mercia Police.

The two forces merged services such as firearms, police dog officers, communications, IT and HR in 2013 saying it would save £30m by 2015.

But West Mercia announced on October 9 that it was withdrawing from the alliance in a bid to provide the public with better value for money.

Speaking at West Mercia Police and Crime Panel on Monday, Herefordshire councillor Brian Wilcox said he was concerned how the panel had not been informed about the possible alliance break-up despite ongoing discussions for more than a year.

“I would wish that relationship to be accepted and for us to be kept in touch with what is happening,” he said.

“You mention that discussion has been going on since May 2017 and neither this panel nor during our informal discussions, while I was chairman over twelve months during that period, do I recall any mention of possible severance of the alliance.

“The way that I read the report, I find that the discussions that have been going on have not got anywhere. Could there be a possibility that instead of dissolving the alliance you amend it?

“We do need to know what are going to be the cost savings by breaking the alliance, what are going to be the cost savings by breaking the alliance, what are going to be the efficiencies?

“And when looking at possible finance, the whole cost of this severance being at our instigation will be at your door. Have you taken account of this in your budgetary allowance and how much is it going to cost?”

Mr Campion explained that the current governance arrangement was not working for the residents he represents.

“That didn’t happen instantly,” he said.

“There is no suddenness to this decision there has been a long discussion, it is right that those discussion have been in private with our alliance partner and not providing some ongoing narrative.

“It has never been our intention to break and cancel the alliance we have been attempting to reform and change but we are now at the position we can only change it if we break it and rebuild to retain the benefits.”

Chief constable Anthony Bangham explained that the alliance governance arrangement meant both forces had an equal share of power in decision making but that West Mercia provided 61% of the funding and Warwickshire 39%.

Telford and Wrekin councillor Kuldip Sahota asked what the cost would be to West Mercia Police for ending the strategic alliance.

Mr Campion said: “We will be seeking to mitigate those costs because we don’t believe it is in the interest of the public just to separate. So, it is impossible to say what that figure will be at this stage because it is too early.

“We haven’t been through the negotiated process but what I do believe this is primarily about our governance and the service governance agreements associated with the service rather than having to separate the teams and create the costs which councillor Sahota is referring to.”

Coun Sahota replied: “If all estimates have been made before the end of this alliance, would you say this decision has been made responsibly?

Mr Campion said he would try not to take offence for coun Sahota’s assertion that he would be acting irresponsibly.

He said: “I have taken the action in the best interest to the community which I was duly elected to serve.

“The chief constable and I are of the opinion that the current arrangement is no longer in the efficiency and effectiveness of the communities in West Mercia.”