As stated all over the country by the Greens, how or why would we want to politicise the police service? and the turnout from the vote shows that the majority don't want this tosh. Democracy fail again by the 'big three'.

School asks for candidates, candidates write ( in a 100 or so words ) why they are the best for the job. Rest of the parents read statements & vote.

no politics......

...and now Council Tax is going up to support the new Tory PCC 'no-cuts' agenda. Err, don't the big three want to introduce cuts? NIMBY alert!

IMO thats not for the police though thats so he and whoever he appoints on his committee can have a pay rise

Same old, same old... So he's now a creature of the Chief Constable and in less than a week; what a brilliant start! This statement is absolute bilge. There is no reason whatsoever to increase the police budget or reduce the service. According to their own stats. crime is actually going down.

We do not need helicopters, expensive training centres, specialist vehicles and radios - what they have is suitable and adequate. We just need some basic policing coupled with effective and competent management.

I don't know why the LibDems or Labour actually stood against him - this is exactly what they'd do. Spend - that's the answer to everything.

Oh well, for the boys in blue, what a success - trebles all round.

...and if the local authorities which subscribe to the TVP say no to Mr S, what happens then.
I'm not too sure how many councils support the Thames Valley police area but I think this is all of them WBC(Cons), Reading(Labour), Oxford(Cons), Slough(Labour), Windsor & Maidenhead(Cons), Wokingham Borough (Cons). Have I missed any ?

I thought Bucks and Milton Keynes were also Thames Valley

So that's it then a MR S. gets his money as the majority are Tory councils. See why the Tories brought it in then?

Under the new regime, they'll be obliged to collect whatever precept is set. All over bar the shouting then.

There is, however, a precedent....

If Richard G's party get in, they might refuse! Many years ago, they did just that; it was what made George Lansbury famous. Lambeth refused to collect / pay the LCC precept and the Lambeth Councillors were jailed. Come on Richard - we could put Newbury on the map

WBC(Cons), Reading(Labour), Oxford(Cons), Slough(Labour), Windsor & Maidenhead(Cons), Wokingham Borough (Cons), Milton Keynes (Cons with 19 seats but labour 15 and Lib dem 15 must make a bright council), Bucks CC (Cons)

Any others?


I didn't see anything in the pre-election pledge about upping the precept. Kept that one quiet.

To reduce crime and drive up detection rates.
• To maintain the balance between urban and rural policing.
• To ensure that the Police budget is targeted effectively.
• To protect vulnerable people.
• To ensure the Police act firmly and fairly, using good judgement to deal with the public politely, gaining their respect and acting with integrity.


The BBC have noted that the changes in funding will depend on approval by the police and crime panel for the Thames Valley made up of representatives from councils across the area.

So, how do the council representatives fit in with the new PCC job and is it any different than before apart from the names.

Are those objectives any different from what any half decent Chief Constable, Police Authority or even Police Officer would aspire to?

As regards the Panel, bearing in mind this is the third reconstruction in 20 years after close on 100 years of reasonable conduct by Watch Committees and then the Police Committees of the amalgamated forces, Likely answer is 'no'.....

This project really is a horrendous waste of money, added bureaucracy, and I await with heavy heart the outcome in 3 or so years....

I desperately hope that they will be removed in 2015!!

They will not be

Depends who wins the election.

I doubt it, very much indeed. It is a Home-Office led idea and will survive, regardless of Party

I recognise someone in this
I certainly recognise the way of doing things......

Cronyism, nepotism - how long before we see corruption?

So PCCs are taking money from police budgets to pay others to do their job for them. Stansfield is actually being pretty stingey only paying his mate £35k - others are getting far more.

This dreadful system is taking money out of policing to no obvious benefit (I guess time may show otherwise, but I'm not convinced).

Arguably it already is; I can't recall any information prior to the election that these people would need paid help, any more than the Conservative nominee would immediately abandon their doctrine and seek to increase precepts.

Frankly, against the cuts he's voted for at WBC this is appalling. Reflects very badly on the Tory choice of candidate. Is there any route for formal complaint?

Rather than just leave things as they are, I've just fired off a note to the Home Office, will copy any reply here, if one comes! There is also a survey, which seems mainly to be for organisations. I ticked 'other' and called myself an elector. It was mainly about how effective the communications were...I let them know.

Dodgy activities already from New Labour and Tory PCC's:

"The thin blue gravy train: How new police commissioners are appointing their friends as deputies - on up to £68,000 a year"

Other rags covering too, but the daily wail always get a laugh in the forum.