REVIEW OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS

1. Since 1986, the Authority has consulted the public through a network of Police and Community Liaison Groups (PCLGs), originally established in each policing division, in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Groups all operate in different ways according to local circumstances, but generally hold approximately four evening public meetings per year , occasionally supplemented by day time events, and the Group itself meets on occasions throughout the year. Although some Groups achieve regular good attendances at public meetings, it is acknowledged generally that members of the public who do attend are not necessarily representative of the wider community and that the time, effort and money spent on organising, advertising and attending such meetings is not always cost effective.

2. In addition, national studies have shown that the influence exerted by PCLGs is limited in informing policing plans and priorities and that hard to reach groups are often excluded from the process. Overall, the findings indicate that many PCLGs are not truly representative and are not adopting a strategic approach.

3. Section 96 of the Police Act 1996 requires a Police Authority to make arrangements for obtaining the views of people in its area about matters concerning the policing of that area, but this does not specifically state that such arrangements should be conducted only through a network of consultation groups.

4. The Authority has liaised with other Authorities, many of which had recently undergone Best Value Reviews of their consultation methods, with the result that none of the twenty nine who responded considered that their consultation arrangements engaged all members of the public, or were truly reflective of the community that they served. All Authorities considered that a mix of consultation approaches to suit the targeted audience best suited their requirements and it was evident from the results that there was no one particular method better than another. Many Authorities still use PCLGs (or similar) to consult the public, but balanced these with other forms of consultation.

5. As a result, the Authority has agreed to review its PCLGs by division and, using the information, gathered from that exercise, define the core structure of consultation and formulate a strategic plan for this purpose. In addition, its Consultation Strategy formally approved by the Best Value and Performance Management Panel, detailing consultation undertaken specifically under Best Value, will be reviewed to include all forms of consultation undertaken by the Constabulary and the Authority.

COUNCILLOR SIMON HAYES,

CHAIRMAN

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