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Statutory Information

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Specified Information Order

The PCC has a statutory obligation to proactively publish information under the following legislation:

There are other legislations which mandate the publishing of certain information and the PCC also has the discretion to publish more information in the interests of transparency, all of which is included within the lists below.

Accessibility

Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information under request. Further information, can be found within the OPCC Publication Scheme. Please also see the OPCC Accessibility statement. 

Interpretations

To assist with the understanding of the below, the following definitions that are used within the Orders include

  • “Relevant Office Holder”- PCC or Deputy PCC.
  • “Senior Employee”- a member of OPCC staff whose salary exceeds £58,200.
  • “PRSRA2011”- the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
  • “Local Authority”- a council or other body responsible for governing a specific area and providing local services (such as education, social services and waste management).
  • “IOPC”- Independent Office for Police Conduct.
  • “HMICFRS”- His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.
  • “TVP”- Thames Valley Police.
  • “OPCC”- Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
  • “PCC”- Police and Crime Commissioner.

What the OPCC for Thames Valley will publish

Who we are and what we do 

We will publish current information to ensure that members of the public are aware of who within the OPCC is responsible for what, what they do and how to make contact. This will include:

There is currently no Deputy PCC, however PCC’s are required to have a Succession Plan in the event that they are unable to fulfil their role.

What we spend and how we spend it 

We will publish financial information for this year and the last two years in order to provide transparency on spend on policing. This will include:

  • The total budget of the OPCC (contained within the Budget Book).
  • Information on the council tax precept issued by the PCC (contained within the Budget Book).
  • Information as to each anticipated source of revenue (contained within the Budget Book).
  • Information as to the proposed expenditure (contained within the Budget Book).
  • A copy of the annual investment strategy (contained within the Annual Treasury Management Strategy).
  • Information as to each crime and disorder reduction grant (as known as the Community Fund) made by the OPCC, including: the conditions (if any) attached to the grant, the recipient of the grant, the purpose of the grant and the reasons why the body considered that the grant would secure, or contribute to securing, crime and disorder reduction in the body’s area.
  • Reserves Strategy, which outlines how the OPCC will manage its financial reserves.
  • Grant allocations provided by the OPCC to the voluntary sector and partners.     
  • Information as to each item of expenditure of the PCC or the Chief Constable exceeding £500 (other than a crime and disorder reduction grant or an item of expenditure separately published), including: the recipient of the funds, the purpose of the expenditure and the reasons why it was considered that good value for money would be obtained.
  • All expenditure is required to achieve the PCC’s aim of providing good value for money and all staff that order goods or services are required to comply with the PCC’s financial regulations. Furthermore on an annual basis, external auditors are required (under Section 5 of the Audit Commission Act 1998) to satisfy themselves that the PCC and the Chief Constable have proper arrangements in place for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources.
  • Information as to each item of expenditure for each relevant office holder in relation to: travel by, accommodation for, or the subsistence of, including: the recipient of the funds, the purpose of the expenditure and the reasons why it was considered that good value for money would be obtained.
  • The allowances paid to each relevant office holder in respect of expenses incurred in the exercise of the PCC’s functions, including: the recipient of the funds, the purpose of the expenditure and the reasons why it was considered that good value for money would be obtained.
  • Statement of Accounts, which describe the OPCC’s actual spending and income in the previous financial year and the end of year balance sheet position.
  • Annual audit letter and annual audit certificate which contains opinions from the independent external auditor about the OPCC stewardship of public funds and the accuracy of the Statement of Accounts.
  • HMICFRS reports and summary assessments on the effectiveness, efficiency, legitimacy and performance of TVP, as well as any responses from the PCC or Chief Constable.
  • Value for Money Strategy, which aims to ensure efficient and effective use of resources and meet obligations related to achieving value for money.
  • Details on the National Fraud Initiative, where the OPCC shares information with the Cabinet Office for data matching exercises, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

What our priorities are and how we are doing 

We will publish information for this year and the last two financial years in relation to what the PCC’s priorities are and what progress has been made against them. This will include:

  • The PCC’s Police and Crime Plan, which is a strategic document outlining the PCC’s priorities for policing and setting out the objectives for policing, crime reduction and ensuring that TVP fulfils its national and international duties.
  • An Annual Report to inform the public, partners and stakeholders, which highlights the progress made in the past twelve months made against the Police and Crime Plan strategic objectives. This report also includes details on commissioned services as well as how the PCC has demonstrated compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.   
  • A list of OPCC collaboration agreements, which are formal agreements between two or more police forces and/or PCCs to improve efficiency and effectiveness in delivering policing services. *This is due to be added following review*.
  • A copy of any report requested by the PCC from any Community Safety Partnership in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder. At this time there are none.
  • The annual complaints statistics and most recent quarterly complaints data in relation to TVP, published by the IOPC.
  • An annual report setting out details of how the PCC has fulfilled his duty to hold the Chief Constable to account in relation to the handling of police complaints, which includes an assessment of the PCC’s performance in exercising his functions as relevant review body for police complaints.
  • An annual assessment of the OPCC’s performance where the PCC has taken on further responsibility for complaints. Please note that the PCC for Thames Valley has made the decision not to take on further responsibilities and has chosen to adopt Model 1 for complaints.
  • A statement on the contribution of TVP to achieving improvements against the national policing priorities, including an explanation of which national priorities are assessed to be applicable in the context of TVP and the reasons for that assessment.

How we make decisions

We will publish information for this year and the last two financial years to ensure maximum transparency for the public, giving them access to the discussions which have taken place and showing the decision making process in how decisions are made that will affect them. This will include:

  • Date, time, place, of each Performance and Accountability Meeting (PAM) to be held by the PCC. A PAM is a public meeting attended by the PCC and Chief Constable, that provides a platform for open discussion, transparency and public scrutiny of policing.
  • A copy of the agenda (including any other document that is a subject matter of an item on the agenda) for each PAM.
  • A copy of the minutes for each PAM.
  • A copy of the minutes for each non-public meeting held by the PCC, at which matters of significant public interest arising from the exercises of the body’s functions are discussed.
  • A record of each decision of significant public interest arising from the exercise of the PCCs functions.
  • Details of any public consultation to be held by the PCC.
  • Results and outcomes of previous public consultations and surveys.

Our policies and procedures

As well as the documentation above, we will publish current policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities to ensure that the public are aware of the standards expected of the OPCC.  This will include:

  • Annual Treasury Management Statement, which explains how the PCC manages the budget and how much of that budget is allocated to TVP.
  • Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, which is a joint policy with TVP in relation to the handling of qualifying disclosures (within the meaning of Section 43B of the Employment Rights Act 1996).
  • Capital Strategy, which provides a high-level overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contribute to the delivery of desired outcomes.
  • Chief Constable Financial Instructions, which outline financial responsibilities, duties and accountabilities of the PCC and the Chief Constable.
  • Code of Conduct for the PCC and his Deputy.
  • Commissioning Strategy, which details how services are commissioned across the Thames Valley.
  • Communications and Engagement Strategy, which outlines the communications and engagement approach that the PCC will take to raise awareness of his role and the work undertaken by his office.
  • Community Remedy Document, which outlines various options for dealing with low level crime and anti-social behaviour, offering victims a greater say in out of court punishments.
  • Complaints Policy in relation to the conduct of relevant office holders, including procedures for the handling of qualifying complaints and conduct matters (within the meaning of Section 31 of the PRSRA2011).
  • Contract Management Strategy, which outlines the key principles for contract management and the process that the OPCC follows.
  • Data Protection Policy, which outlines how the OPCC is compliant with data protection legislation, including procedures for the security and sharing of information.
  • Decision Making Policy in relation to making the decisions of significant public interest arising from the exercise of the body’s functions.
  • Financial Strategy, which sets out how both the PCC and TVP will structure and manage its finances to support the delivery of the aims and objectives of the service, and to ensure sound financial management and good stewardship of public money.
  • Gifts and Hospitality Policy, which provides the PCC and his staff with guidance regarding how gifts and hospitality may be given or received and in which circumstances they should be declined.
  • Improving the Safety of Women and Girls Strategy, which sets out the role that we can all play in ending VAWG, as part of a coordinated partnership response.
  • Information Sharing Agreement with TVP, setting out the terms and conditions under which information will be shared.
  • JIAC Annual Assurance Report, which sets out how the committee has complied with its responsibilities.
  • JIAC Operating Principles, which summarise the core function of the committee and describe the protocols in place to enable it to operate independently, robustly and effectively.
  • Joint Corporate Governance Framework, which is a joint document with TVP, including the Statement of Corporate Governance, Code of Corporate Governance, Scheme of Corporate Governance, Scheme of Delegation, Scheme of Consent, Memorandum of Understanding and Financial Regulations.
  • Modern Slavery Statement, which sets out the actions we need to understand about potential risks to our related business and provision of services. It also puts in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking present in our business and supply chain.
  • Privacy Notice, which explains how we use your personal data and the ways in which we protect your privacy.
  • Publication Scheme, which outlines what information should be recorded and made available to the public by the OPCC, as well as details on how to request this.
  • Records Management and Disposal Policy, including procedures for the retention and destruction of documents.
  • Thames Valley Proposed Fees and Charges, which sets out the Fees and Chargeable rates applicable where appropriate.
  • Travel and Subsistence Policy, which details what travel and subsistence claims can be made by the PCC and his staff.

Lists and registers

We will publish information that will make it clear to the public where conflicts of interests or other issues exist and make sure that these do not conflict with the responsibilities of the OPCC. This includes:

The services we offer

We will publish current information about the services we offer. This includes:

  • Adults Support Service, delivered by victim Support.
  • ASB Mediation service, being delivered by Alternatives to Conflict and available to residents across the Thames Valley.
  • Community Speedwatch provides groups in Thames Valley with a starter kit on a loan basis to help volunteers assist in the battle against speeding motorists.
  • Data Hub, for members of the public to access important statistics relating to crime and policing.
  • Drive and Cobi projects– to reduce child and adult domestic abuse, tackling stalking and reduce reoffending.
  • Independent Sexual Violence Advisory Service, delivered by Hope After Harm. 
  • Op Deter– an early intervention support programme for under 18s arrested for knife crime.
  • Retail crime Strategy, which hopes to deliver a more visible, targeted and robust approach to retail crime.
  • Road Safety Strategy, developed in consultation with TVP and other relevant partners promotes the application of the Safe Systems Approach to road safety: safe behaviour, safe roads, safe speeds and a rapid post collision response.
  • Victims First Hub, which is a service managed by the OPCC and dedicated to making sure that all victims of crime receive the support they need to cope with the impact of crime. Some of the services provided by the Hub include Restorative Justice, Third Party Reporting Mechanism for Hate Crime and Counselling.
  • Violence Prevention Partnership which involves relevant partners and members of the community working together to understand the root cause of serious violence and focusing on place-based problem solving in order to address them.
  • Young Victims Service, delivered by SAFE!.

What we will not publish

The PCC will not publish:

  • Information in draft form.
  • Information that is no longer readily available, as it is contained in files that have been placed into archive storage, or is difficult to access for any other reason.
  • Information which would be against the interests of national security.
  • Information which might jeopardise the safety of any person.
  • Information which might prejudice the prevention or detection of crime, the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, or the administration of justice.
  • Information considered to be legally privileged.
  • Information that is known to be inaccurate, misleading or distorted.
  • Information whereby disclosure is prevented otherwise by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure as per the General Data Protection Regulation (the GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.