STPOLC
882490039/09/88
HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY
3RD MAY 1988
LIAISON BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE
PROPOSED AMALGAMATION OF ALDERSHOT AND FARNBOROUGH POLICE LIAISON
COMMITTEES
REPORT BY THE CLERK
1 At their meeting on 8th March, 1988, the Police Authority gave
approval in principle, to the amalgamation of Aldershot and
Farnborough Police Liaison Committees to form a single Police
Liaison Committee covering North East Hampshire. In reaching
that conclusion they were informed that both Hart District and
Rushmoor Borough Councils supported the proposed amalgamation;
and that Aldershot and Farnborough Police Liaison Committees,
when previously consulted, were generally in favour of the
amalgamation, although some members felt there might be
difficulty in finding room for all interested organisations and
expressed fears that the new committee might become remote from
local communities. The Police have no objection to the proposal
on operational grounds.
2 As agreed by the Authority, both Farnborough and Aldershot
Police Liaison Committees were given a further opportunity to
consider the proposed amalgamation. They concluded that there
was no practical reason why a single committee covering North
East Hampshire should not be established and become a cohesive
and effective means of liaison between the Police and the
community in the two sub-divisions. An amalgamated Police
Liaison Committee was unlikely to become remote from local
communities in view of the close geographical links between
Aldershot, Farnborough and Fleet, which are all within 5 miles
of each other. Meetings could be held on up to six occasions
each year, held in rotation at venues in Aldershot, Farnborough,
Fleet and Yateley. Such a programme would accord with the
Police Authority's view that Police Liaison Committees should
concentrate on the urban areas within their sub-divisions.
3 If priority is given to people who have regularly attended
meetings in the past, the total membership of the new committee
would not exceed 30 and would accord with the standard
constitution. The total membership of Aldershot is 24, of whom
6 have failed to attend during the last year. The total
membership of Farnborough is 23, of whom 3 have failed to attend
during the last year. The membership of the 9 non-attenders
lapses automatically. Both Superintendents would, of course,
continue to attend meetings.
Aldershot Police Liaison Committee views
4 A special meeting of Aldershot Police Liaison Committee was held
when the Committee reiterated their view that they should
amalgamate with Farnborough. They felt that six meetings per
annum were too many and that four meetings would be sufficient,
one in each of the main centres of population; an additional
meeting could be held if a particular issue arose in one area.
The Committee also felt strongly that there should be two
members appointed by both Hart District and Rushmoor Borough
Councils.
Farnborough Police Liaison Committee views
5 Farnborough Police Liaison Committee agreed to amalgamate with
Aldershot and accepted that up to six meetings would be
appropriate. They felt there should be only one representative
from each District Council. They also felt that there should be
two representatives from the Police Authority.
District Council views
6 Rushmoor Borough Council support the proposed amalgamation as do
Hart District Council, but the latter wish to press for the
retention of two District Council representatives on the
amalgamated committee.
7 There appears to be a measure of unanimity that the two
committees should be merged to form a single Police Liaison
Committee covering North East Hampshire. There are diverging
views as to whether Hart District and Rushmoor Borough Councils
should retain two representatives each or be reduced to one
each; and on the number of meetings, so perhaps five meetings of
the new committee per annum would be appropriate. At present
both committees have one representative each from Hart
Association of Parish Councils and Rushmoor Council of Community
Service, and it is suggested that one representative from each
on the new committee would be sufficient. The Police Authority
are represented on Aldershot by Councillor R.A. Salter and on
Farnborough by Councillor Mrs. S.E. Stephenson. Councillor
A.P. Collett does not currently serve on either of the two
committees. It is suggested that, as on the Isle of Wight where
two sub-divisional areas are merged into one Police Liaison
Committee, there should be two Police Authority representatives
appointed to the amalgamated committee.
RECOMMENDATIONS:-
(a) That Aldershot and Farnborough Police Liaison Committees be
amalgamated to form the North East Hampshire Police Liaison
Committee.
(b) That two Police Authority members be appointed to serve on
the new committee.
(c) That the Police Authority determine whether Hart District
and Rushmoor Borough Councils be invited to appoint one or
two members each to serve on the new committee.
(d) That Hart Association of Parish Councils and Rushmoor
Council of Community Service be invited to appoint one
representative each on the new committee.
5fR48488
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