The first ever Police & Crime Commissioner Elections will take place on Thursday 15th November.
On this date you will have the opportunity to vote for the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Cheshire Police Force Area (including Cheshire, Halton and Warrington).
There are five candidates for the Cheshire Force Area, see below for details on each candidate.
Voters choosing a new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will be asked for their first and second choice of who they want to win, as the supplementary voting system will be used for the first time.
In the supplementary voting system, if one candidate gets more than 50% of first choice votes, they will win. If no candidate gets this majority, the two candidates with the most first choice votes will remain in the election and all other candidates are eliminated.
The second choice votes for the eliminated candidates are then counted – and any votes for the two remaining candidates are added to their first round totals. The candidate who then has the highest total of votes cast is declared the winner.
A public information booklet will be sent to households between 22nd October and 2nd November by the Electoral Commission. If you do not receive your copy by 6th November, please phone the Electoral Commission on 0800 3280280.
See below for information, provided by, or on behalf of each of, the candidates for the role of Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
Ainsley Arnold - Liberal Democrats
Ainsley was actively involved with all aspects of the transformation of policing and business initiatives whilst at the Police Authority.
His experience means he is fully aware of the work already undertaken and the further measures needed to meet the £35million shortfall in funding
Ainsley and his family have lived in Cheshire for over 35 years, he was first elected in 1996 and served for 15 years as a councillor on both Macclesfield Borough Council, and Cheshire East Council. He was made an Alderman of Cheshire East for his services to the community in 2012.
He has operated businesses throughout his career and served as a non executive director on a number of companies over his years of public service. Ainsley was the Police Authorities lead member for partnerships in Cheshire East and served as executive member of Cheshire East's successful Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership and as a board member of the Children's And Young Persons Trust Board. His invaluable experience gained from his work with Cheshire Police and other organisations, coupled with his commitment to ensuring that Cheshire Police are fully accountable to the public, makes Ainsley ably suitable for the role of Police & Crime Commissioner.
He said "I have been a strong advocate of cooperation between neighbouring police forces as a means of making all the forces more cost- effective. The five police forces in the North West now have 4 helicopters, based at 4 different locations across the North West which provide a service anywhere in the region, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"This collaboration enables the 5 forces to make further savings without damaging operations. I will be pushing for further collaboration in other police sectors where this is appropriate.
"Our Police do a difficult and sometimes dangerous job to ensure Cheshire is a safe place for us to live. It's essential they have the resources and equipment to undertake their role in the most effective ways available. I will make sure funding for our front-line policing is a number one priority.
"It's crucial that the views and concerns of local people are both listened too and acted upon. If elected I want to ensure policing priorities are set in consultation with the public. With this aim in mind I will hold surgeries across the Cheshire police area to meet residents face to face and get their views on policing & crime in their neighbourhoods"
Click here for further information about Ainsley Arnold.
Louise Bours - UKIIP
I live in the market town of Congleton with my two daughters aged 8 and 10.
I have had the privilege of serving my community as a Councillor from 2003 until 2009, on both the town and borough councils. In 2006 I had the honour of being elected Mayor of Congleton, and during that time worked with many of our local voluntary organisations within the area.
It was during this time that I really began to understand the important connection that must exist between the police service and the local community. Congleton is an area with a very low crime rate, however, the paradox is that within Cheshire we have some of the most affluent, but also some of the most deprived wards in the North West. One of the challenges for the Police Commissioner would be to ensure that you have empathy and understanding with the wider public's 'fear of crime', whilst ensuring a robust and comprehensive approach to 'low level' crime with a zero tolerance 'Broken Windows' approach across the entire county.
Just five months ago I became a 'victim of crime'. It was whilst feeling at my most vulnerable, that the true nature of the police within Cheshire became apparent. They were sympathetic and understanding; they answered every question, and appeased any worries that my daughters and I had. I would ensure that the police in Cheshire would always be allowed to conduct their work in this manner – they should be supported in the difficult and at times dangerous work they undertake on our behalf, whilst maintaining efficient and transparent practice. Our police service has earned its reputation as one of the best in the world – the Police Commissioner should ensure that this reputation is upheld.
Click here for further information about Louise Bours.
Jon Dwyer: Conservative
John Dwyer retired 11 years ago as Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary, after a 30-year career in the police.
Since retirement he has run several of his own businesses including a corporate security consultancy and investigation company.
He was a councillor on Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council before its move into the Cheshire East authority.
His promises include a root and branch review of the force to find better ways of working. All savings found will be made available to the Chief Constable for frontline policing including more officers if that is what the Chief wants.
There will be a major drive to increase the size of the Special Constabulary and align its officers to parishes and communities. The worst repeat offenders will be targeted by a new team with the aim of finding new ways to ween them off crime and drugs for the benefit of the whole community.
John said "It is important that communities have confidence in every step of the criminal justice system. Within six months I will set up a 'Sentencing Unit' that will monitor sentences handed out by courts, speak up for victims and engage with the National Sentencing Council to achieve the best outcomes for Cheshire."
Rural Crime, Road Safety, Internet safety and a zero approach to yobbish behaviour also play a large part in John's vision.
John added, "A vote for me is a vote for unrivalled experience and a determination to make Cheshire an even better place to live. While operational matters, quite correctly, will remain with the Chief Constable, I will work with him to build confidence levels in the force to a new high.
"Cheshire is already a fantastic place to live. Its low crime rate is a credit to the police and community but we must not rest on our laurels. Further success lies in freeing up officers to do what they do best - policing. "
Click here for further information about John Dwyer.
Sarah Flannery - Independent
"The police are the public and the public are the police," said Sir Robert Peel, the father of modern policing whose principles are followed to this day.
I believe that only an Independent Police and Crime Commissioner can respect that principle and fulfil the main role of the PCC: to connect the public with policing.
I've always been Independent and political dogma has no place in my approach. As the People's PCC, I will be a strong voice for safer communities by putting people – not party politics – at the heart of policing. And I commit to tackling this role with integrity, energy, vision and openness.
I've lived in Cheshire for 30 years and spent my life being heavily involved with community activities and issues across the county. That knowledge of the community and its concerns, coupled with my business background of working with public sector bodies in health and education, makes me the ideal candidate for Cheshire PCC.
I understand how collaboration can deliver effective results and value for money to help Cheshire Police continue its excellent work in reducing crime.
As Independent Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, I will:
• Represent all parts of Cheshire fairly, with links and surgeries across the county so that I'm visible and I know your views
• Deliver efficient policing by supporting the police service, building strong partnerships with public, private and voluntary organisations
• Reduce crime by thoughtful and realistic focus on more visible police presence, detection rates, re-offending, anti-social behaviour and dealing effectively with offenders
• Deliver value for money by supporting what works well, and resourceful commissioning that cuts crime without sacrificing public safety for profit
• Improve accountability and public confidence with regular updates on how your needs are being met – and being honest about what can and can't be done
• Provide the best possible service for victims and witnesses of crime
• Increase the involvement of young people in community crime fighting with initiatives such as a Youth PCC
PCCs were introduced to encourage independent people to step forward and campaign on their own strengths and experience for election to this very important job.
The only way to keep Cheshire, its police and its people safe from party political crossfire is to vote Independent. I will keep the county safe from crime and from party politics.
Click here for further information on Sarah Flannery.
John Stockton - Labour
John Stockton recently retired from full-time teaching after 30 years and is now working as an executive board member for Halton Borough Council. He has been a councillor for 10 years.
Mr Stockton says his central aim is to protect the most vulnerable members of communities
He stood as a Labour candidate in three parliamentary elections - in Fylde 2001, Altrincham and Sale West 2005, and Weaver Vale in 2010.
He is a member of the Co-operative Party and the unions Unite and the NASUWT.
He said that if elected his central aim will be to protect the most vulnerable members in the communities across Cheshire by ensuring that neighbourhood policing is a priority.
John's vision:
It is essential that the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) ensures that the police work with the consent of the public and involve other stakeholders to reduce crime in Cheshire.
Under my leadership, there is not a corner of the County, or sector of society, that will not get the support of the police. A central aim of my leadership will be to protect those most vulnerable members in our communities across Cheshire.
This can be done by ensuring that neighbourhood policing is a priority. I will be working to ensure the police improve local relationships through building confidence and securing the trust of the public.
It is part of the role of the PCC to hold the Chief Constable (CC) to account for the outcomes of the police force, but this does not mean that the PCC will micro-manage the Chief Constable, who has complete autonomy for operational matters.
Part of the role of the PCC is also to work closely with partner organisations, including:
Our 4 Local Councils, Probation Service, Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty's Crown and Tribunal Service, Witness and Victim Support services, Fire, Health, Youth Offending Teams, Drug and Alcohol Teams, Registered Social Landlords, Crime and Disorder Partnerships, Adult Social Care, Children's Services and Schools, Highways (Road Safety), Licensing Committee and Community Xafety Team.
I will also be accountable to the electorate – engaging and consulting through roadshows, print and broadcast media, social media, public (beat) meetings, surveys, witness and victim consultation, internal dialogue with police to ascertain their views, and a dedicated interactive website. This will be a wide ranging and inclusive communications strategy to engage and inform, and for me to be accountable to the public and other stakeholders.
Quality of life for me is predicated on the basis that people should feel safe and be safe in their own communities, and it will be my job as PCC to try and ensure this.
Under Labour crime fell by 43%from the previous record high levels under the Tories. It will be the role of the PCC to continue to reduce crime within the context of a declining budget.
The Conservative-led Government has imposed a 20% reduction over 4 years, meaning that police numbers in Cheshire are forecast to fall from over 2000 in 2011 to 1840 by 2015.
This is not acceptable - I will do all that I can do resist cuts in numbers and at support an efficient and effective level of policing in Cheshire.
