Description
Please note that this vacancy is not part of Surrey County Council, we are advertising this on behalf of a partnership organisation.
This is a voluntary role for the position of 'Independent Member of the Surrey Police & Crime Panel'.
Would you like to help shape policing in Surrey? Would you like to be part of the team scrutinising a high-profile official?
About the Role
We are looking for one Surrey resident to serve as an Independent Member of Surrey Police and Crime Panel.
The role of the Surrey Police and Crime Panel is to maintain a regular check and balance on the performance of the directly elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Surrey. It is an important and challenging role which offers the chance to review the key strategic decisions taken by the PCC, including whether she has achieved the objectives set out in her Police and Crime Plan, considered the priorities of local communities and consulted appropriately with the public.
The panel also plays an integral statutory role in the setting of the policing precept, reviewing complaints against the PCC and confirming senior level appointments.
About You
The successful candidate will work alongside 12 elected members representing Surrey's local authorities, as well as one other independent member already in position.
The ideal candidate will:
1. Live in Surrey
2. Be actively involved in the business or voluntary sector
3. Have experience in a financial setting
4. Have a good knowledge of community safety, victim support or a related issue
5. Be able to represent the views of the public at large
6. Have the confidence and diplomacy to challenge effectively
7. Be led by evidence, not political persuasion
A co-opted member of the police and crime panel is expected to:
8. Attend all formal meetings of the panel
9. Establish good relations with other members, officers and co-optees
10. Prepare for each meeting by reading the agenda and papers to familiarise yourself with the issues to be covered
11. Consider the questions you may wish to put to the PCC and other expert witnesses
12. Listen carefully at the meetings, ask questions in a way which is non judgemental and help the panel to make practical suggestions for improvements in services
13. Assist in the preparation of reports and the formulation of recommendations.
As well as being of good character, candidates will need to possess the following competencies:
14. Strategic thinking: to have breadth of vision, to rise above detail, and to see problems and issues from a wider, forward-looking perspective.
15. Sound judgement: to take a balanced, open-minded and objective approach, for example, in evaluating the priorities of the PCC.
16. Supportive: be able to support the PCC and other members of the panel in delivering their duties.
17. Scrutiny and challenge: be able to rigorously scrutinise and challenge constructively without becoming confrontational, using appropriate data and evidence.
18. Analytical skills: interpret and question complex written material, including financial and statistical information and other data such as performance measures.
19. Effective communication: be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Experience of working in a financial setting would also be useful in this role.
Additional information
Co-opted independent members serve for a four-year term. The commitment required from a co-opted independent panel member will depend upon the work programme approved by the panel but typically might average one day a month.
The panel meets formally around five times per year. Meetings will generally be held during normal office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) at Woodhatch Place, Reigate, Surrey.
This is a voluntary position for which travel expenses can be claimed.
We welcome applications from any individual regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership.
We cannot accept applications from Surrey Police civilian staff, OPCC staff, MPs or councillors serving Surrey.
You can find out more about the work of Surrey Police and Crime Panel .
The close date for this role is 31.10.2025 with interviews planned to follow.
Please ensure your CV provides details of two referees.
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