Archive for May 9th, 2016

Matthew Ellis takes Oath for Second Term as Staffordshire PCC

Monday, May 9th, 2016

2016 PCC election - Matthew Ellis accepts roleMatthew Ellis has taken the oath accepting the role of Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire for a second term.

The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was held at Staffordshire Police headquarters today, Monday 9th May, following Mr Ellis being declared winner of the PCC election last week, Thursday 6th May.  The new 4-year term officially starts on 12th May 12.

Mr Ellis, who represented the Conservative Party in the PCC election, said, “I am delighted to have been elected for a second term and will continue with the strategy I set out three years ago which has also been at the heart of my campaign.

“Spending money better, putting more of the available budget to the frontline and making sure policing in Staffordshire is equipped to tackle changing crime in a changing Internet-enabled world remain the priorities.  Continued financial stability is crucial in order to provide Staffordshire Police with the right tools for the job and will ensure Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent communities are safer into the future.”

Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Jane Sawyers was present for the Oath of Office by the PCC, which was witnessed by the Chair of the Central and South-West Staffordshire Magistrates’ Bench Mrs Marlene Longman J.P.

David Sidaway, City Director of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, was also present as the “Appropriate Officer” and Head of Paid Services for the Local Authority undertaking the election is required to be at the Acceptance of Office under the Police Reform Social Responsibility Act 2011.

John Tradewell, Director of Strategy, Governance and Change at Staffordshire County Council, was also present at the oath taking, representing Frank Chapman, the Chair of the Police and Crime Panel in Staffordshire.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) sets the annual budget for Staffordshire Police and holds the Chief Constable to account for delivering an effective and efficient police service.  He is also responsible for setting out and delivering against a Police and Crime Plan – the Commissioner’s Safer, Fairer United Communities strategy that can be read at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/saferfairerunited – as well as appointing the Chief Constable.

The PCC also sets the part of the council tax that goes to policing, called the precept, and makes grants available for organisations including, but not limited to, Community Safety Partnerships.  The PCC assesses, supports and challenges the overall performance of Staffordshire Police against the priorities agreed within the Police and Crime Plan.

The Chief Constable is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Staffordshire Police but is accountable to the public via the PCC.  The Declaration of Acceptance of Office is a legal requirement that needs to take place before a new term of office for the PCC begins.

The PCC took the Oath of office at Staffordshire Police headquarters in Stafford.  To find out more about the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner in Staffordshire, go to the website for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire at: www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk.