Job Description

Annual remuneration: £2,670 (subject to changes agreed by an Independent Review Panel)

Hours: around one day every other month, including preparation. There are between five and six meetings per year.

Start date: October 2026

Term of office: 19 months (to May 2028) or to the continuation of a four-year term if the government’s proposals to disband the Panel are amended.

Wiltshire Council is seeking two committed, independent and community minded individuals to serve as Co opted Independent Members of the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel.

About the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel

The Police and Crime Panel plays an important role in supporting and scrutinising the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), the elected official tasked with setting local policing priorities and holding the Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police to account. The Panel’s role includes:

• Reviewing and making recommendations about the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan
• Scrutinising the PCC’s budget and council tax precept
• Questioning the PCC about how he is overseeing performance and decision making
• Dealing with certain types of complaints about the PCC

The Panel helps ensure that policing in Wiltshire and Swindon is effective, transparent and reflects the needs of local communities.

Whilst the Panel supports and scrutinises the performance of the Police and Crime Commissioner, it is important to clarify that the Panel does not directly scrutinise the Chief Constable. It does also not have a mandate to executive decisions, as that would undermine the elected PCC who is directly accountable to the electorate of Swindon and Wiltshire.

The Role

Being a Panel Member is a rewarding public appointment. You do not need prior experience in policing or local government, but you must be willing to:

• Read papers and prepare in advance of meetings
• Ask questions and provide constructive challenge
• Work respectfully with a wide range of people
• Maintain independence and impartiality

The expected time commitment is around one day every other month, including preparation. There are between five and six meetings per year held at regular intervals that take place at different locations across Wiltshire and Swindon.

Please note that the Police and Crime Commissioner role is due to be abolished in May 2028 Although this restricts the time that applicants will be able to serve, the scrutiny role of the Panel will be increasingly important in the coming months as transitional arrangements are put in place. Should government proposals to abolish the Panel be abandoned, the role would be extended to a full four-year term.

Remuneration and Support

• Annual remuneration: £2,670 (subject to changes agreed by an Independent Review Panel)
• Travel and subsistence: Reasonable expenses can be claimed
• Training: Full induction and ongoing development will be provided

Who Can Apply

We welcome applications from people with a strong interest in policing, accountability and community safety.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria set out in the application form. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people that can demonstrate experience of, or willingness to learn about:

• Policing, community safety or criminal justice issues
• Scrutiny, governance, and decision-making
• Analysing information and asking constructive questions
• Working collaboratively and contributing to meetings

Equality, Diversity and Accessibility

Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council are committed to being inclusive organisations. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and value a range of opinions.

If you require the application form or any recruitment information in an alternative format or need reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment process, please contact Democratic Services using the details below.

How to Apply

Please complete the application form and return it to committee@wiltshire.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is:15th August 2026

Shortlisted candidates are expected to be invited to interview in early September 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed). References will be taken up following interview.

Further Information

You can find out more about the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner at:
https://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/

Agendas and minutes of previous Police and Crime Panel meetings are available via the Wiltshire Council website

Contact Details

For queries about the recruitment process, please contact:

Kieran Elliott
Democracy Manager – Democratic Services
Email: committee@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01225 718504

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