New members welcomed to Authority
Devon and Cornwall Police Authority has welcomed five new members to the fold.
The new comers join following local authority elections in June and the appointment of two new independent members.
Following a recent recruitment campaign, independent members Lady Jan Stanhope and David Percival have been appointed for a four-year term.
Lady Stanhope took up her role on July 1, while Mr Percival begins in October.
Lady Stanhope has spent most of her working life in the public sector and is a former director of resources in local government.
She said: “I believe I can use my skills and experience to make a useful contribution to the role of an independent member.
“Striking the right balance between holding a police force to account and not overly interfering in its operation is a challenge to which I am looking forward.”
Mr Percival has a background in education and has been a college principal since 1990.
He said: “My interest in the work of the police was sparked by taking part in groups and committees involving police officers during the Plymouth Common Purpose programme in 2001 and on the Devonport Regeneration Company.
“I hope my membership from October will allow me to get a real insight and have an independent say on how our force is being run.”
The three other new members of the authority are political appointments following the local elections.
Cllr John Hart, the Leader of Devon County Council and a Conservative Member, joins with 20 years of council experience already gained.
While fellow newcomer and Conservative Cllr Patrick Lambshead, from Cornwall Council, represents the Newquay and Tretherras ward after a background in working as an engineer with the Royal Air Force.
Also joining from Cornwall Council is Independent member Cllr Mike Clayton.
Mr Clayton has formerly worked as an engineer and sub-post master. Now retired, he has a particular interest in finance management and budget setting.
Chairman of the Authority Mike Bull welcomed all the new members.
He said: “I believe that we have an Authority capable of ensuring the people of Devon, Plymouth, Torbay, and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have a police force and authority they can be proud of. Our new colleagues bring a valuable breadth of experience and some new skills to add to what we already had. There is a wealth of knowledge from some members who have been on the authority for some time and now also have new blood to bring fresh ideas and experience to the table.
“I am particularly pleased to welcome our two new independent members who also bring with them considerable skills from their working careers which will further aid the authority and constabulary in its bid to become a top performing police force.
Mr Bull, who is himself one of the independent members on the Authority, added: “We face some tough challenges now and in the very near future concerning financial pressures and planning for the years ahead.
“But I believe we are in the best place to get this process right and give the people of our region value for money policing.”
The Devon and Cornwall Police Authority comprises 19 members.
Ten of these members are appointed by the Devon County Council and the unitary authorities for Plymouth, Torbay, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
There are a further nine independent members who have responded to public notices seeking applications from people wishing to serve on the authority.