Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillors Brown, McGhee, Pritchard and Roberts and from substitute members Councillors Irwin, Jelley, Lee and Lunn.

Councillor McGhee attended the meeting remotely but the Panel was advised that she was not formally present as not in the meeting room.

Any requests to speak on an item on the agenda should be notified to the Chair (c/o the Committee Manager) by 12 noon two working days before the date of the meeting.

None received.

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

None declared.

To receive communications from the Chair.

The Chair welcomed Dr Paul Gibson to the meeting and Panel members introduced themselves.

The Chair introduced the report outlining the purpose and format of the confirmation hearing and invited Panel members to raise any questions on these matters. There were none. 

The Chair then invited the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) to introduce Dr Paul Gibson as his proposed appointment as Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police. The PFCC made the following points:

·         He thanked the Panel for convening the confirmation hearing to consider a proposed appointment that would support continuity of leadership at Northamptonshire Police and also take a unique opportunity to contribute to the force’s ability to deliver positive outcomes for residents.

·         All police forces were statutorily required to have a chief constable. The recent appointment of Nick Adderley on a new contract involved a short retirement period. To meet the statutory requirement and sustain progress during Mr Adderley’s absence he proposed to appoint Dr Gibson as Chief Constable for a temporary period from 27^th February to 2^nd April 2023.

·         The role of Chief Constable clearly needed to be held by an individual with experience of delivering strategic leadership and knowledge of policing. He was delighted that Dr Gibson had agreed to this opportunity.

·         Dr Gibson had over 20 years of strategic operational experience. He was currently the regional Deputy Chief Constable for the East Midlands responsible for providing specialist operational support to Northamptonshire. He had previously served as Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable with Derbyshire Police and was also the national police lead for digital forensics

·         Dr Gibson was a highly effective and widely respected senior officer with significant professional experience. As PFCC he was fortunate to be able to propose Dr Gibson for the appointment, which would produce a benefit to Northamptonshire.

The Panel then asked Dr Gibson a series of questions relating to his professional competence and personal independence.

Dr Gibson was asked what particularly attracted him to the opportunity to serve as Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police for a temporary period. Dr Gibson made the following points:

·         As the operational lead for the East Midlands Specialist Operations Unit (EMSOU) he had an established working relationship with the PFCC and with Nick Adderley and direct experience of delivering policing in Northamptonshire.

·         He believed that there was an opportunity for him to make a difference as the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police even for a short period.
He could contribute to the continuing development of the force by bringing a fresh perspective informed by 24 years’ overall experience in policing including seven years at executive level.

·         If appointed to the role he would focus on some specific objectives. He would carry out a peer review of the force’s development journey, consider the progress made against HMCIFRS improvement areas, and give a view on culture and leadership. In the process he would also be able to strengthen the relationship between the force and EMSOU. 

Dr Gibson was asked what he saw as the main challenges currently facing Northamptonshire Police and what he would take from his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any items of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.

In respect of the following items the Chair may move the resolution set out below, on the grounds that if the public were present it would be likely that exempt information (information regarded as private for the purposes of the Local Government Act 1972) would be disclosed to them: The Panel is requested to resolve: “That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that if the public were present it would be likely that exempt information under Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act of the descriptions against each item would be disclosed to them.”

The Chair requested the Panel to agree that the remainder of the meeting be held in private session.

RESOLVED that: under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that if the public and press were present it would be likely that exempt information under Part I Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the act of the descriptions would be disclosed to them.

The remainder of the meeting took place in private session.

Exemption under Paragraph 1 – Information relating to any individual.

RESOLVED that: the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel recommends that the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire appoints Dr Paul Gibson as the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police for the period from 27^th February 2023 to 2^nd April 2023 inclusive.

The Panel considered its report and recommendation on the proposed appointment.

At the conclusion of discussion the Chair invited the Panel to reach a resolution on the proposed appointment.

RESOLVED that: the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel recommends that the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire appoints Dr Paul Gibson as the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police for the period from 27^th February 2023 to 2^nd April 2023 inclusive.