Just a reminder that today (Thurs Nov 15) is polling day in Brigg for the first elections ever held to return a Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner.
There will be a county-wide count tomorrow in Bridlington, following which the winner will be announced.
If you believe the experts and pollster people, there will be a low turn-out across Humberside.
Whether Brigg reflects that trend we shall have to wait and see.
The new, paid Commissioner will oversee the work of the Chief Constable and the Humberside force.
He/she will replace the Humberside Police Authority, whose membership included councillors, magistrates and other worthy types.
Forty other Commissioners will be elected across the UK - although not in London where the Mayor, Boris Johnson, appears to have this function as part of his far-ranging duties.
It's everyone's democratic right to vote in Brigg - or not - as they see fit.
Once elected, it will be interesting to see how the Commissioner's decisions are publicised.
Will it be similar to the Cabinet system operated by North Lincolnshire Council, where items coming up for consideration are posted in advance to alert the public and then the decisions taken entered online in due course?
The existing police authority puts online details of future meetings coming up in Hull, reports by the Chief Constable and minutes outlining what had been considered.
Will the new Commissioner have an administrative staff assisting him/her along similar lines?
It's hoped that whoever gets elected today will make it a priority to visit communities across Humberside, dropping in at all the police stations, including Brigg, and also meeting North Lincolnshire and town councillors.
"Meet the public" sessions would be very welcome - with Brigg's in the Angel Suite.
Apart from voting for a candidate........the reasons - the advantages - and the need to have an elected Police Commissioner escapes me!!
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be going through a process that nobody understands...some people may vote for their preferred candidate, but how many of these folks will be able to explain why there is an election for a PC in the first place.
Apart from the above....if a PC becomes ill, or otherwise is unable to fulfil his/her duties - short, or long-term, do we have a deputy PC to undertake such a role, or does the local police force just collapse into total chaos as vital dicisions/priorities cannot be made?
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