The Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel were scheduled to meet to discuss police governance reform, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's public safety plan, and the operation of enabling services. Updates on fire and police finances were also scheduled, as well as a review of the panel's work programme.

Police Governance Reform

The panel were scheduled to note a letter from Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Policing and Crime, regarding proposed reforms to police governance. The reforms include abolishing the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) model at the end of the current term in 2028. Police governance functions would be transferred to Mayors of Strategic Authorities or elected local council leaders where possible. Where this is not possible, new local Policing and Crime Boards would be created, comprising leaders of each upper tier authority from the force area, supplemented by up to two co-optees. These boards would be supported by a Policing and Crime Lead. The role of Police and Crime Panels would also be abolished in 2028. The Welsh Senedd have no plans to create Mayors in Wales, so the government would work with the Welsh Government to ensure new arrangements to replace PCCs provide strong and effective police governance for Wales. Legislation is planned for the second session as part of broader reform proposals.

Delivery of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Public Safety Plan for Northamptonshire 2025-30

The panel were scheduled to discuss the delivery of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's (PFCC) Safe and Sound Plan. The plan is framed by three core missions:

• Visible, accessible community services
• Professionalism and standards
• Strong partnerships

These missions are underpinned by four tests that will be used in the delivery of outcomes and actions.

The PFCC, Danielle Stone, was expected to detail community engagement initiatives, such as roundtable events with religious groups, retailers, and those concerned with road safety. These events are intended to generate direct feedback and result in action. The Study Tour programme focuses on addressing community concerns and delivering crime prevention measures. Insights gained from these tours have informed the development of the forthcoming Crime Prevention in a Box initiative, scheduled for rollout in early 2026.

The PFCC holds the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer to account through formal Accountability Boards. These boards address performance metrics and specific issues of concern. The report included an illustration of performance intervention through the accountability framework, and examples of delivery through the PFCC's team and in partnership across the county.

Areas of focus for police include:

• Burglary While burglary is on a longer term decline, the rate was considered too high per 1000 households. Initiatives such as Safer Streets¹ and the ongoing Study Tour programme aim to address this through support of Neighbourhood Watch², provision of video doorbells, improved lighting and CCTV projects.
• Violence and Sexual Offences While the total number of violent and sexual offences has declined slightly, certain offence types such as rape and other sexual offences have shown increases.
• Retail Crime There has been a significant increase in retail crime offending. The PFCC has sought assurances from the Chief Constable regarding the Force's approach to retail crime.
• Domestic Abuse Levels of domestic abuse offending remain too high. The PFCC has requested a paper from the Chief Constable outlining a holistic approach to the investigation of these matters.
• Neighbourhood Crime Neighbourhood crime has reduced, with vehicle crime showing significant reductions.
• Positive Outcomes Positive outcomes remain stubbornly below national and peer averages. Work continues to improve case progression and victim updates.

Areas of focus for fire include:

• Demand Demand had increased in the last 12 months, but was reducing with much lower volumes in September.
• Standards of Response Standards of response are deteriorating longer term with fewer incidents within the SLAs³.
• Overall pumping availability % Availability increased in September with several on-call stations notably higher than summer months.
• Home Fire Safety Visits The Service are on track to meet the annual target and activity is focussed on the most vulnerable in society.

Operation of Enabling Services

The panel were scheduled to receive an update on the operation of enabling services. The enabling services function supports Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the PFCC with a range of business support functions.

In 2018, the Home Secretary approved a business case for the Police and Crime Commissioner to become the Fire and Rescue Authority for Northamptonshire. A joint Assistant Chief Officer was appointed in March 2020 to lead the delivery of the enabling services functions. All of the previous shared but remote to Northamptonshire arrangements have been removed, meaning all the support provided by the functions are based within the county.

The agreed vision for enabling services is to transform and provide excellent enabling services to both emergency services in the most efficient and effective manner, supporting the frontline to do their jobs and deliver excellent services to the public.

The functions within enabling services are:

• Human resources and organisational development
• Finance and payroll
• Assets
• Digital, data and technology

Fire and Rescue Authority Finance Update

The panel were scheduled to discuss the forecast financial outturn for the current year and receive a briefing on 2026/27 projections and the consultation on precept intentions.

The forecast outturn for Northamptonshire Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority (NCFRA) at Quarter 2 shows a total projected net overspend of £443k. The net overspend mainly relates to firefighter costs and inflation. Pay Awards given across the sector are higher than budgeted with no additional government funding made available. The wholetime firefighter budget has been overspending due to a higher number of firefighters in post than previously expected. Other overspends include renewal of lease arrangements for operational training and large increases to insurance premiums. Underspends are expected in Enabling Services departments and the savings target is well on the way to be met.

Early financial modelling indicates that an uplift of £5 per year for a Band D property⁴ will be vital to provide sufficient funding to the service to balance budgets, maintain resources and make necessary improvements. A public consultation was launched on 10 November 2025 to gather the public views on a £5 precept increase.

Policing Finance Update

The panel were scheduled to discuss the forecast financial outturn for the current year and receive a briefing on 2026/27 projections and the consultation on precept intentions.

The forecast outturn at Quarter 2 shows a total projected net overspend of £387k. There is forecast to be a small underspend on the Police Pay budget. Most of the pressures on the Chief Constable's budget have arisen due to the overtime requirement for Local Policing, Investigations and Protecting Vulnerable People due to increases in demand. Call volumes are particularly high and result in overtime pressures for control room staff despite recent uplifts in staff numbers. Almost £1m of the variance is due to enhancements to neighbourhood policing expected to be funded by the additional ringfenced Neighbourhood Policing Grant.

Early financial modelling indicates that an uplift will be vital to provide sufficient funding to the force to balance budgets, maintain resources and make necessary improvements. A public consultation was launched on 10 November 2025 to gather the public views on a £14 precept increase.

Police, Fire and Crime Panel Work Programme

The panel were scheduled to review the development and delivery of its work programme and to consider any related matters. The panel operates a rolling 12-month work programme that provides a framework for its activity. The work programme is reported to each regular Panel meeting to enable it to be reviewed and updated as necessary. The report also provides the Panel with an update on the response to previous resolutions.