Police respond to Labour misuse of resources

Following complaints from Liberal Democrats in Redcar constituency, the Acting Chief Constable of Cleveland is to issue guidance to about the importance of not involving police officers in election campaigns.

This follows photographs published on social media of Labour council candidates and the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar appearing alongside uniformed police officers.

The Acting Chief Constable replied to the complaints, saying that he was “writing to candidates making it clear that they must not use such pictures in their campaign material.”

Labour should know that this is a misuse of public money and should not be putting pressure on the police to pose for their publications. Labour’s candidate Ms Turley shows a lack of mature understanding of the need for our police force to avoid being placed in a position where their integrity may be questioned.

As an agent and candidate at many Parliamentary and Council Elections in the past I was always told that in no circumstances could the local police be seen in photographs with election candidates.

It is only a couple of weeks ago when Ms Turley Tweeted a faked photograph of her Lib Dem opponents.

As a ward councillor concerned about anti-social behaviour problems, which appear to be escalating on the estate currently being re-developed at the junction of Roseberry Road and Mersey Road, I find it extremely annoying when local officers say they are too busy to attend meetings of the Neighbourhood Action Partnerships

These take place in each Council ward and the police often say they are too stretched to attend them all. Yet they can spare time to be seen around and be photographed with Labour candidates seeking election.

A happy smiling group photograph showing the Labour parliamentary candidate for Redcar, Labour council election candidates in Dormanstown and local police officers was published on Facebook along with a caption announcing the selection of Labour's candidates for Dormanstown Ward.

Police and Crime Panel members required.

On 15 November, the Cleveland Force Area will be electing its first police and crime commissioner.

This post will be responsible for setting the priorities and resources for Cleveland Police, as well as supporting broader community safety activities across the region.

In addition, a police and crime panel will also be established to scrutinise the work of the Commissioner. The panel will consist of representatives from each of the four local authorities in the Force area and two independent co-opted members.

The panel is looking for at least two committed people who either live or work in the Cleveland Force area to serve as co-opted independent members from autumn 2012 for a four year term. The role of a panel member is a demanding one and will require a commitment of an average of one day every two months.

Meetings will generally be held late afternoon or early evening at varying locations throughout the Force area. Panel members will be able to claim reasonable expenses and will receive induction and other appropriate training.

The closing date for applications is 28 September 2012. For a copy of the application pack, please telephone (01642) 527060 or (01642) 528173.

Cleveland Police Authority rejects Government offer of £960,000 grant to freeze Council Tax this year

I would hardly call the Northern Echo's report of the Cleveland Police Authority precept decision yesterday a fair and balanced report of the meeting.

Where is the reference to the £960,000 grant the Authority would have received had it opted for the freeze option? That is the equivalent of a 3% increase in Council Tax. Surely Council Tax payers are entitled to know they are now going to be paying £1,120,000 extra in Council Tax this year when they could have saved that 3.5% increase and received £960,000 in Government grant funding. 

The concern was that this grant may not be available next year but that is no reason not to accept it this year. I reject the claim of the acting Chief Constable that she could not manage on anything less than a 3.5% increase.

I spoke in favour of the Council Tax freeze at the meeting and voted against the 3.5% increase.