INDEPENDENT MEMBER - Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel

Salary: £920 in the form of an annual allowance to reflect expenses.

Employer: Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel (hosted by Somerset Council Democratic Services)

Location: Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1HE

Contract type: Volunteer

Working pattern: Part time.

Time Commitment: The Panel has 6 dedicated meetings a year which are held in Taunton, Somerset. Time commitment may average 12 hours a month but this can vary.

Closing date: 30 September 2026 12:00 am

Interview date: 15th October 2026 (held in Taunton, Somerset)

About the job

Key information

We are recruiting an Independent Member to assist the Police and Crime Panel in holding the Police and Crime Commissioner to account.

Somerset Council acts as the Host Authority for the Panel and is responsible for its administrative and officer support arrangements

Are you interested in modern Policing, resource issues and reviewing the strategic direction of the Constabulary?

Do you have the skills and experience that could help us support and challenge the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset?

In 2012, the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel became part of new governance and accountability arrangements for Policing in Avon and Somerset. The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is responsible for setting the strategic objectives of the Police force and deciding how funding for local Policing and crime reduction is allocated.

The Panel’s role is to both support and challenge the PCC and maintain regular checks and balances on her decisions, activities and related performance.

The Panel is looking for a committed and community-minded person to serve as an Independent Member until approximately May 2028. You will work alongside 14 Councillor members from across the force area and 2 other Independent Members.

Key skills required include the ability to:-

analyse and think strategically
scrutinise and challenge
communicate effectively
develop an understanding of equalities and diversity issues

What will I be doing?

The Panel has a number of specific responsibilities:-

reviewing and contributing to the development of the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan
monitoring and scrutinising the PCC’s performance
reviewing the PCC’s proposed Precept (the element of council tax which funds the Police)
reviewing the PCC’s Chief Officer appointments in the form of a Confirmatory Hearing
handling and resolving non-criminal complaints against the PCC

The Panel does not directly scrutinise the Chief Constable or the Constabulary.

The Panel aspires to reflect the composition of the Police service area, and we are looking for applications from people from all parts of Somerset, North Somerset, Bath and North-East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

The Panel has 6 dedicated meetings a year which are held in Taunton.

Applications are welcomed from all eligible candidates irrespective of sex, gender reassignment, disability, ethnic origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, age or other protected characteristics.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

To apply you will need to:

be 18 or over and on the electoral register
live or work in the Avon and Somerset Police Area
able to attend at least 6 formal meetings held in Taunton, Somerset during the working year
understand the importance of public services and how they are delivered

You cannot be an Independent Member of the Panel if you are:

A Police officer or staff member of Avon and Somerset Police
A Local Authority Councillor
A Member of Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, or the Scottish Parliament.

Time Commitment: The Panel has 6 dedicated meetings a year which are held in Taunton, Somerset. Time commitment may average 12 hours a month but this can vary. This is an unpaid voluntary role, but you will receive £920 in the form of an annual allowance to reflect expenses.

Supporting documents and information

The Panel is particularly interested in candidates with knowledge and experience of change management and people who have a good understanding of interpreting complex reports and data.

Job ref no: SR19215/A

For further information, detailed recruitment pack and to upload your CV, please click "Apply on our website"

Your CV must reflect how you meet the personal specifications set out in the role profile.

Closing date: 30th September 2026 Interview date: 15th October 2026

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