A blog about Wirral Council's public meetings, Wirral Council's councillors, Bidston & St. James ward and other public bodies on Merseyside
Author: John Brace
New media journalist from Birkenhead, England who writes about Wirral Council.
Published and promoted by John Brace, 134 Boundary Road, Bidston, CH43 7PH. Printed by UK Webhosting Ltd t/a Tsohost, 113-114 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, Berkshire, England, SL1 4PF.
Poll on 2012 Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner election candidates Geoff Gubb | Hilary Jane Jones | Paula Clare Keaveney | Jane Kennedy | Kiron Reid | Paul Duane Rimmer
Declaration of Interest: The author is an elector in this election.
Police and Crime Commissioner 2012 (Merseyside Police Force Area) Elections: Election Statements & Photos | Geoff Gubb | Hilary Jane Jones | Paula Clare Keaveney | Jane Kennedy | Kiron Reid | Paul Duane Rimmer
Here are photos of the candidates standing in the Merseyside Police Force Area for Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012 and their election statements (in alphabetical order). The source (with a better layout) for the photos and statements is the Choose my PCC website.
Photo and logo (if available) of candidate
Election Statement
The Conservative Party Candidate
Geoff Gubb
Election statement:
Electing a Police & Crime Commissioner will mean that, for the first time, you will be able to hold one person to account for the policing of Merseyside. This will bring about not only greater transparency to policing, but a means to challenge, as well as support the police, in their job – to cut crime and make Merseyside a safer place in which to live and work.
Among my priorities if I’m elected will be to:
Adopt a zero tolerance approach towards drug and alcohol abuse.
Support and enhance those voluntary and other organisations working with, and caring for, the victims of all crime.
Further develop ways to reduce the number of offenders re-offending.
Listen to and act on the views of young people in Merseyside on their expectations and perceptions of Merseyside Police.
Support all agencies working with individuals, and families, whose need could, without assistance, result in intervention by the police.
The current economic climate will mean future budget constraints will be a challenge for Merseyside Police but I do believe public money should be spent wisely and effectively in the fight to continue to cut crime. The existing Merseyside Police Authority has succeeded in reducing costs without compromising the fight against crime. As your Police and Crime Commissioner I’d work hard to continue that success.
I’m Liverpool born and bred and live on the Wirral. I am proud of my roots and proud of what Merseyside is and stands for. Together we can make it even better and safer.
Prepared by Simon Eardley on behalf of Geoff Gubb both of Wirral West Conservative Association, 24 Meols Drive, Wirral, CH47 4AN.
UKIP
Hilary Jane Jones
Election statement:
I feel that people should vote for me because I have vast experience in life generally, running a business and also in serving the community.
I have lived in Merseyside since I was only a few months old before settling into Bebington, Wirral in 1959. I joined the WRAC in 1974 before joining Merseyside Police in 1977.
I now run my own business with my husband as a funeral director, however between 1992 and 1998 I worked for Wirral Magistrates Courts as a Fines Enforcement Officer.
I have served as an elected Councillor between 1987-1995 and 1996-2006. During this time, I served on a number of committees, became a group chief whip, cabinet member and Mayor of Wirral for 2004/05. In 2007, I was appointed as a Magistrate for the Wirral bench.
As a PCC I would like to concentrate my energies into building a new confidence in the relationship between the Police and the public. This could be achieved by treating so called low level crime with the same importance as other crimes. This would encourage the public to become more actively involved in reporting crimes if they thought they would be given more assistance than just a crime number for insurance purposes.
I believe that this, in turn would have a knock on effect so that people would have more confidence in giving information about drug and gun and gang related crime which is a major concern in Merseyside.
I would strive to make sure that all personnel working for Merseyside Police, and external agencies working with the Police feel valued and that their achievements make Merseyside a better place for us all to live, work and relax in.
Contact Details:
Tel Candidate: 07851023695
Tel Agent: 07971266024
Promoted by Phil Griffiths, Room 301, Riverway House, Morecambe Road, Lancaster on behalf of Hilary Jones.
Liberal Democrats
Paula Clare Keaveney
Election statement:
What I will do:
I am not doing this for the money. I will donate the difference between what I earn now and what this job pays to charities supporting victims .
Crime is going down. But people don’t feel that way. If fear stops you going out, you might as well be under house arrest. I will work to make our communities not just be safer but feel safer.
People’s views matter. Less than two per cent replied to the recent police survey. So how can we be sure we really know what local people think? I will run a weekly surgery in different parts of our area and get out to talk to groups across Merseyside. I will go to where people actually are rather than wait for them to come to me.
The police must be as visible as possible. That means the focus must be on the front line. I will find ways of using the budget so that money goes to front line visibility rather than HQ type buildings.
It is unacceptable that people are victims of hate crime. I will focus on ways of preventing and dealing with these attacks on people who are vulnerable or different.
Who I am
A former leader of the opposition on Liverpool City Council
A former local Councillor with a record of getting things done
A University Lecturer , I have also been a manager at some of theUK’s biggest charities.
I live in South Liverpool and have lived in Southport. I have worked in Crosby and Liverpool and now work in Ormskirk.
Promoted by Paula Keaveney, 75 Canterbury Street, Liverpool, L19 8LQ
The Labour Party Candidate
Jane Kennedy
Jane Kennedy
Election statement:
This is an important election to decide who will hold the Police to account and decide their priorities. The Police are facing massive cuts to their budget from the Tory/Lib Dem Government. By next April there will be 600 fewer police officers working on Merseyside as a result.
If you vote Labour, Jane will: –
Stand up for our communities against the Tory/Lib Dem cuts to policing and the loss of over 600 police officers in Merseyside.
Keep police and PCSOs on the beat with neighbourhood policing, not hand it over to private companies.
Target gun, gang and violent crime as a top priority.
Back a strong and swift response to anti-social behaviour.
Forge better co-operation between the police and other agencies who share the responsibility for delivering safer communities.
Jane has vast experience and has both the skills and determination to be a successful Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside:
Jane was Britain’s first woman Security Minister with responsibility for Policing in Northern Ireland.
Jane was the first woman ever to hold Ministerial office in the Lord Chancellor’s department with responsibility for magistrates, the judiciary and family law policy.
Jane has been a Member of Parliament in Merseyside from 1992-2010 and has the experience to fight for local communities in the county.
Jane was a Government Minister from 1997-2010 serving in six departments so she is experienced in administration.
Jane is committed to achieving the best for Merseyside Police and the communities they serve.
Merseyside needs a plan to cut crime, not the police and help her to do that by supporting Jane Kennedy on the 15th November.
Promoted by Barrie Grunewald on behalf of Jane Kennedy at 108 Prescot Road, Liverpool, L7 0JA
Independent
Kiron Reid
Kiron Reid
Election statement:
I have the experience and expertise to supervise the police in Merseyside as they cut crime, help victims and prevent reoffending.
I am standing as an Independent candidate because the Commissioner’s post should not be party political. I’ve spent 20 years working and campaigning on police matters. As a Law Lecturer at Liverpool University I have an international reputation in the field of policing. I know from serving on Merseyside Police Authority that the current system is insufficiently effective in holding the police to account. I will shake things up.
When I served on the Police Authority it provided a balanced range of views. But with just one person doing the job – it shouldn’t be a party figure. It should be the best candidate. As a Liverpool Councillor (Anfield 1998–2007), never tied to the party line, I helped restore the image of the whole Liverpool City Region. As Commissioner I will be working for local people, not party bosses in London.
I will work with local communities, using the best methods, to:
cut crime, targeting violent and hate offences
prevent crime
prevent young people becoming offenders or victims
prevent reoffending
help victims.
I will not be sitting in committees, like the politicians, but out meeting people right across the Region. Merseysiders are famed for their independence – if you have an independent mind, vote Independent.
You can read more about my policies and experience on my website. As Commissioner I will be a critical friend of the police. I will stick up for all the people of Merseyside, helping the police show criminals there is nowhere to hide.
On Merseyside, let’s put People first, not Party.
Contact Details:
website: Kiron4Commissioner.com
Prepared by Kiron Reid of 48 Abbeygate Apartments, High Street, Liverpool L15 8HB.
English Democrats – “More Police – Catching Criminals!”
Paul Duane Rimmer
Election statement:
I’m Liverpool born and bred. I achieved a 1st at Cambridge University before working in Finance. I was an amateur boxing champion and live with my family in Toxteth. I recently stood in the Liverpool mayoral elections. I am a committed Christian.
I want to be the new police and crime commissioner because I believe it is time for transparency in policing. It is your money the police arespending and it is to you they should be directly answerable. I will make sure the Police respond to your concerns first and foremost. Having spoken to the people of Merseyside I hear your voices loud and clear. You want an accountable police force. You want protection of person and property; frontline policing as a priority, with more ‘bobbies on the beat’ and fewer behind desks. Burglary and anti-social behaviour will be tackled hard. You want zero tolerance of illegal drugs. You have no time for political correctness. Police will be recruited on merit alone and the St George’s Flag will be flown above police stations at all times. No minority group will be shown favouritism. I will challenge and tackle political policing, root and branch. You want traditional, no nonsense policing firm, but respecting our liberties and privacy. I will speak for the people of Merseyside not toe a party line.
Hillsborough has shown how important police accountability is, I want lessons to be learnt from that tragedy. We want justice for all and no hiding place for criminals.
50% of my salary will be given to the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.
In tough times let us support our Police as we all work together to uphold the highest standards.
Declaration of Interest: The author is an elector in this election.
Declaration of Interest: The author was a student at a university which employs one of the candidates (Kiron Reid).
Declaration of Interest: The author was previously in the same political party as two of the candidates (Kiron Reid and Paula Keaveney).
It was about an employee who gets “fired”, but returns when his boss/employer is in trouble to save the day. Thanks to a series of betrayals by others and poor decisions made by his boss in the past, the past comes back to haunt him (the fired employee) and everyone else.
Things go from bad to worse and the organisation ends up paying a high and expensive price in terms of reputation partly down to its own arrogance, secrecy, complacency, playing the blame game and conspiracies of silence. Once the politicians find out what’s going on the “big boss” is offered early retirement (with an honour thrown in too).
No, I’m not writing (obviously) above about Wirral Council, but the new Bond movie Skyfall.
Report of the Employment and Appointments Sub-Committee (Wirral Council) of the 26th October 2012 in Committee Room 2, Wallasey Town Hall starting at 3pm.
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Present (6/7,3:2:1) Employment and Appointments Sub-Committee
Committee Room 2, Wallasey Town Hall
26th October 2012 3pm
Cllr Lesley Rennie, Conservative
Cllr Jeff Green, Conservative
Cllr Patricia Williams, Liberal Democrat
Cllr Phil Davies, Labour
Cllr Ann McLachlan, Labour
Cllr Adrian Jones, Labour Cllr George Davies (from 15:30 (agenda item 3)), Labour
Committee Services
Andrew Mossop (Committee Clerk)
Not Present (Legal adviser) Wirral Council officers
Chris Hyams, Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development
Graham Burgess, Acting Chief Executive
David Armstrong, Deputy Chief Executive
Unknown male
Unknown female
Press/public (agenda items 1-3)
J and L Brace
The meeting originally scheduled for 3pm started at 3.06pm. There were no microphones used.
1. Appointment of Chair Andrew Mossop asked for nominations for Chair.
Cllr Ann McLachlan proposed a nomination for Cllr Phil Davies.
Cllr Adrian Jones seconded a nomination for Cllr Phil Davies.
There was a vote on the nomination for Cllr Phil Davies for Chair by show of hands.
Andrew Mossop asked if there were any other nominations for Chair?
No other nominations for Chair were made.
Cllr Phil Davies was therefore appointed Chair of the Employment and Appointments Sub-committee (unopposed). Cllr Phil Davies got up from his seat and walked to the Chair’s chair in the room and sat down.
The Chair (Cllr Phil Davies) asked for any declarations of interest?
2. Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were made.
3.Exclusion of the press and public
Cllr Phil Davies proposed the following recommendation on the advice of a Council officer:-
“That in accordance with section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to that Act. The public interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.”
This was agreed.
A member of the public (the author of this blog) asked why the resolution didn’t include the paragraph/s number and asked if they were required to include theparagraph or paragraph number in the resolution?
The Chair Cllr Phil Davies said he would seek advice on the subject. He sought advice on the subject and was also given advice by Cllr Jeff Green that it was paragraph 1. His resolution was amended to:-
“That in accordance with section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to that Act. The public interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.”
The amended resolution was put to the vote and agreed. The press and public were excluded for agenda item 4 (Appointment of Strategic Director: Families and Wellbeing).
The public made their way to the door to leave the room.
Cllr George Davies arrives.
The public left the room.
Agenda Item 4 Appointment of Strategic Director: Families and Wellbeing
The councillors now including the late Cllr George Davies considered the applications for the new post of Strategic Director (Families and Wellbeing).
The following resolution was agreed:
That the following 5 candidates be long listed for the next stage of the selection process which shall be for officer interviews on Tuesday, 13 November – candidate numbers, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Transcript
Andrew Mossop: any nominations for the Chair?
Cllr Ann McLachlan: I nominate Phil Davies.
Andrew Mossop: Chair, err, Cllr Phil Davies, is that seconded?
Cllr Adrian Jones: Yes.
Andrew Mossop: Are there any other nominations?
Cllr Phil Davies: Right, OK, err folks, … see you’re busy…errm Item 2 this is a standing item, Members Code of Conduct Declarations of Interest. Has anyone wish to declare any interests?
No, OK, no interests, errm, item 3, is item for you to agree the exemption to exclude the members of the public from the meeting. Is that agreed?
Various councillors: Agreed.
John Brace: Sorry, there are no reasons in it, but the case law says there has to be reference to a paragraph, so errm is it possible to give the reasons,
Cllr Phil Davies:
John Brace: that’s supposed to be in the resolution you passed you see but unfortunately it’s missing from the agenda.
Cllr Phil Davies:
Cllr Jeff Green: on the basis of paragraph 1, I can suggest we actually go carry forward the exemption.
Cllr Phil Davies: So we should agree on the basis of paragraph 1?
John Brace: Is that agreed on paragraph 1?
Cllr Phil Davies: Is that agreed on the basis of paragraph 1?
Merseytravel (Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority) meeting of the 25th October 2012. Pictured are councillors (Cllr Ron Abbey (Labour Party, Wirral Council), Cllr Steve Foulkes (Labour Party, Wirral Council), Cllr Les Rowlands (Merseytravel Alliance Signals Good Governance (Conservative), Wirral Council), Cllr John Dodd (Merseytravel Alliance Signals Good Governance (Liberal Democrat), Sefton Council) and other councillors), various officers and a member of the public.
Audit Commission criticise Merseytravel in audit report on Mann Island lease
Unfortunately I arrived at the meeting (starting at 2.30pm) about fifteen minutes late, caused in part by an eight minute delay due to Platform 1 at nearby James Street station being closed (which is run by Merseyrail in which Merseytravel have a controlling interest) and other reasons.
When I got there (and negotiated my way to the first floor using the terribly confusing system for the lifts where you have to enter your floor number and press another button before you get into the lift), the meeting had started, the agenda had already been reordered and the item I was particularly interested in (ten) had already started as unfortunately items 3-9 were being left to the end of the meeting. I had missed completely agenda items 1 (Apologies for absence) and 2 (Minutes of the last meeting), which is no big loss as the minutes can be read on Merseytravel’s website and who was absent could be ascertained by who was there.
Agenda item 10 was the Audit Commission: Completion of 2011/12 Audit which sounds dull but wasn’t. The Audit Commission were there to report on the Completion of the 2011/2012 Audit for Merseytravel (both the Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority and Merseyside Integrated Transport Executive).
The audit fees had increased by £10,140 due to an extra two and half weeks of unplanned work required by the District Auditor, Audit Manager and Principal Auditor which related to four areas:-
a) responding to queries from officers, councillors and members of the public,
b) problems with working papers, quality assurance not being robust, not all agreed improvements being made,
c) changes to accounts and disclosures
and
d) errors in the accounting treatment for the Mann Island lease (see picture below) and lease incentives.
Merseytravel (Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority) meeting of the 25th October 2012. Pictured are councillors (Cllr Ron Abbey (