Sussex Police and Crime Panel is looking for two enthusiastic and strategically minded people from the Sussex area to serve as co-opted independent members of the panel.

On 15th November 2012, the people of England and Wales will vote for a Police and Crime Commissioner, who will be accountable for how crime is tackled in their police force area.  Each Commissioner will hold their chief constable and the force to account – effectively making the police answerable to the community they serve.

Each police force area will also have a Police and Crime Panel, to scrutinise the performance of the Commissioner, to ensure transparency, and to provide checks and balances in relation to the performance of the Commissioner. The Sussex Police and Crime Panel will comprise councillors, drawn from each of the 15 local authorities within the region, and two co-opted independent members.

Independent members, through their knowledge and experience, will augment the Panel’s ability to hold the Commissioner to account.

Applicants should live within the Sussex area (East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove). Experience in community safety, victim support, criminal justice and related issues would be helpful, but is not essential. There is no salary for the role, but travel expenses can be reclaimed.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 13thAugust. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will likely be conducted the week of 17th September.

To obtain an application pack, or for further information about Sussex Police and Crime Panel contact Ninesh Edwards at West Sussex County Council:

01243 752714
ninesh.edwards@westsussex.gov.uk

Roundabout, Horsham’s talking newspaper for the visually impaired, has launched its new website at www.roundabouttalkingnews.co.uk for the benefit of both listeners and volunteers.

Roundabout Talking News produces FREE weekly recordings on memory sticks or via their website giving the visually impaired people (VIP) of Horsham and the surrounding district the chance to keep up to date with the local news from the West Sussex County Times.  Anyone who knows of a V.I.P in the Horsham area who would be interested in the service is asked to contact Roundabout through the website using the ‘Contact Us’ facility or telephone Secretary Howard Brake on 01403 253849 or Chairman Jon Dean on 01403 266924.

Many residents may have recently heard about the cuts in funding for bus services by West Sussex County Council, which would effect a number of services within North Horsham from September this year when funding would cease.  However, Metrobus have confirmed that:

• Whilst Routes 61 and 200 were at risk, West Sussex County Council have agreed to continue funding them for the time being.
• Route 23 will continue to operate without financial support.
• Route 98’s evening service will continue to operate without financial support on a trial basis.  This means that the long term viability of the service relies upon the use made of it.  Quite literally, use it or lose it.

In November an election will be held across Sussex (and indeed England and Wales, except London) to appoint a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Sussex.  You will be asked to vote for someone to represent you for policing and crime in the County.

This is the first time you will have had the chance to elect someone to be responsible for policing.  It is really important that you vote, as the PCC will be responsible for policing and crime in Sussex in its totality.  This will mean –

• Setting the budget for Sussex Police
• Appointing the Chief Constable
• Listening to the people of Sussex, and
• Setting a Police and Crime Plan based on those conversations

There will also be a Police and Crime Panel made up of local Councillors from each of the local authorities in Sussex.  Their role will be to advise and scrutinise the work of the PCC.  The Panel will have a range of powers that will see them –

• Review the draft Police and Crime Plan
• Review the PCC’s Annual Report, and
• Hold a public meeting to question the PCC about it

For more information go to www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police-crime-commissioners or www.sussexpcc.co.uk or call 01273 481561.

Key Dates
18th October 2012 – Last full Sussex Police Authority meeting
15th November 2012 – Election Day
21st November 2012 – Last day of Sussex Police Authority in office
22nd November 2012- First day of Police and Crime Commissioner in office