Bedfordshire Police Headquarters

Bridgebury House, Woburn Road, Kempston, Bedfordshire, MK43 9AX

Email the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner

Freedom of Information Log - April 2024 - March 2025

Please find below all Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests received by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire and the related responses. We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

Received: 18/04/2024

Response sent: 29/05/2024

Request:

I would like to request the following information for the period 1/3/24 to 17/4/24:

• Please supply copies of emails sent from any bedford.gov.uk email addresses to the OPCC discussing the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel Complaints Sub-Committee held on Monday, 25th March, 2024
• Please supply copies of emails sent from from the OPCC to any bedford.gov.uk email addresses discussing the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel Complaints Sub-Committee held on Monday, 25th March, 2024

Response:

** Please contact us if you would like to be sent a copy of the attachment emails **

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, if the requested information is the personal data of someone other than the requester, the exemption under section 40 (2) Personal Information, of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) may be engaged. To ensure that the individuals concerned are not identifiable, redactions have been made to the emails requested attached, under section 40 (2) of FOIA.

The report pertaining to the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel Complaints Sub-Committee was sent from Bedford Borough Council to the OPCC and therefore the exemption under section 41 – Confidentiality, of the FOIA has been applied.

This exemption applies if the following two conditions are satisfied:

• you received the information from someone else; and
• complying with the request would be a breach of confidence that is actionable.

You may wish to contact Bedford Borough Council directly to request for the report at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/your-council/data-protection-and-access-information/freedom-information.

You may also find the following information useful: https://councillorsupport.bedford.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=6610&x=1.

Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 22/04/2024

Response sent: 01/05/2024

Request:

Please can you confirm the process that the three neighbourhood watch schemes use to receive funding from the PCC/OPCC?

What funding has been made available for these three schemes since May 2021?

Also, please supply copies of any communications between the OPCC and Luton Neighbourhood Watch between Feb 2022 and Fed 2023 that mentions granting funds or refusing to grant funds. Please include the minutes from meetings between the OPCC and Luton Neighbourhood Watch.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.
 
With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your questions please see the following:
 
A1 – From the beginning of the financial year 2023/24, a change in funding process was implemented, in consultation with Bedfordshire Police, that resulted in the OPCC allocating watch scheme funds directly to Bedfordshire Police who are then responsible for distribution. The neighbourhood watch schemes can apply to Bedfordshire Police for the funding that has been allocated for them by the OPCC, but must tell us how the funding is going to be spent. Funding is not provided to any organisation unconditionally as it is public money and must be accounted for. The criteria is set by Bedfordshire Police and this is aligned closely to their neighbourhood priorities. 
 
Once it is clear what the funding is going to be spent on and it aligns with the criteria for spend, the funding is then provided (up to a pre-defined limit) and we then monitor periodically to make sure that the funds are being spent in the way outlined in the original application. This ensures that public money is spent correctly. This applies to all organisations that the PCC funds and forms part of the agreement for receiving the funding from the PCC as we want to make sure that public money is not wasted, and that our commissioning processes are followed.
 
A2 – What funding has been made available for these three schemes since May 2021?
 
The following funding was allocated by the OPCC to be provided and spent by the three neighbourhood watch schemes in the years 21/22, 22/23 and 24/25. Not all of the funding in 22/23 and 23/24 was applied for by the three NHW schemes. In 23/24, £20,000 was available for all of the watch schemes to apply for a share of. This included Horse Watch, Dog Watch, Street Watch as well as Neighbourhood Watch. In 21/22 the funding for Neighbourhood Watch was managed by Bedfordshire Police. £6,000 was allocated and provide by the OPCC for the three neighbourhood watches. We haven’t been able to confirm if all £6,000 was provided to the three neighbourhood watch schemes but there is nothing in our records to say that it was not.
 

 

2021-22

22-23

23-24

Bedford

£2,000

£4,500 available, £2,250 applied for and received

A share of £20,000 available, £2,507 applied for and received

Luton

£2,000

£4,500 available, £4,500 applied for and received

A share of £20,000 available, applied for £0

Central Beds

£2,000

£4,500 available, applied for £0

A share of £20,000 available, applied for £0

 
A3 – Whilst we correspond with individuals that are members of the neighbourhood watch (NHW) , there is no set mailbox for NHW, so we are unable to provide this information as it would exceed the 18 hour limit to establish what correspondence has been directly involving or about neighbourhood watch and individuals contacting the OPCC on a personal matter. The Information Commissioners Office guidance states: The appropriate limit will be exceeded if it would require 18 hours work for other public authorities.
 
A4 – you have requested minutes between the OPCC and LNHW – I can confirm there are no minutes. However, the OPCC did attend a meeting last week which was chaired by Bedfordshire Police, so they may have a record or minutes of this meeting. If you wish to make a request to the Force, please email: foi@beds.police.uk 
 
Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

 

Received: 07/05/2024

Response sent: 08/05/2024

Request:

Would you be able to send me a copy of your current PCC (or equivalent) manifesto and a copy of the Police and Crime Plan.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, the Police and Crime Plan for 2021 – 2024 is currently published on our website here:
https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/police-crime-plan/, however as of 9 May 2024, Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard will be officially taking up the role after he was the successful Labour candidate in the public Police and Crime Commissioner elections, which took place 2 May 2024. This will therefore mean that there will be a period of consultation prior to the drafting of a new Police and Crime Plan. Please review our website throughout the year for further updates.

Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 19/05/2024

Response sent: 11/06/2024

Request:

Please provide the following information for your Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme for the 2022/2023 Financial Year

1. The Name/Title/Scope of the commissioned programme in your area including programmes designed for male victims that accept/engage/support females
2. The total number of females who self-referred into the programme
3. The total number of self-referred females who were accepted onto the programme
4. The total number of self-referred females who have completed the programme
5. The total number of females referred by an agency (e.g., police, social service etc.) into the programme
6. The total number of referred females who were accepted on to the programme
7. The total number of referred females who have completed the programme
8. The names of the organisations who have made a referral to the programme

Link to evaluation of programme efficacy:
9. Financial Contributors:
(Inclusive of Statutory, Non-Statutory Organisations and individual voluntary donations)
10. Budget inclusive of Running Costs

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, please see answers in the tables below.

1.    The Name/Title/Scope of the commissioned programme in your area including programmes designed for male victims that accept/engage/support females

 

Please see table below *

2.    The total number of females who self-referred into the programme

 

1

3.    The total number of self-referred females who were accepted onto the programme

 

1

4.    The total number of self-referred females who have completed the programme

 

0

5.    The total number of females referred by an agency (e.g., police, social service etc.) into the programme

 

19

6.    The total number of referred females who were accepted on to the programme

 

11

7.    The total number of referred females who have completed the programme

 

0  as at 31.03.2024

8.    The names of the organisations who have made a referral to the programme

 

 

Luton Children’s services

Bedfordshire Police

Bedfordshire schools

Children Services – Bedfordshire

Intensive Family Support Team- Beds

 

 

 
 

 

 

9.    Financial Contributors:

(Inclusive of Statutory, Non-Statutory Organisations and individual voluntary donations)

 

Bedfordshire OPCC – £48,000

 

 

10. Budget inclusive of Running Costs

It is not possible to disaggregate the costs for Beds only as the Chrysalis Centre supports referrals from both Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Therefore, the overall costs of the project have been provided.

 

23-24 overall expenditure on the various intervention programmes was £573,922.28: funding was provided by the Home Office.

 

23-24 other costs, including running costs, were £177,736 and funded by local partners.

* Table for question 1:                                  

Talk Listen Change
Psychoeducation Service

Psychoeducation service for standard risk first time offenders 

Red Snapper Managed Services (RSMS)

Standard/medium risk Healthy Relationships programme

Red Snapper Managed Services (RSMS)

High risk / high harm Healthy Relationships programme

Talk Listen Change

Respect Service

Young child perpetrator against parent service (10-16 years)

RISE Mutual

Adult Perpetrator Against Carer/Parent Service

Adult child perpetrator against parent service (16+)

For Baby’s Sake

Whole family trauma-informed service

Psychological Assessments

Report with recommended therapeutical intervention/clinical outcome

Therapy Service

12 sessions 121 – no age restriction

Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 23/05/2024

Response sent: 29/05/2024

Request:

Please may I request the following information.
Can you provide details of grants awarded in the financial years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024:
• For which at least one of the outputs/outcomes was to provide services to victims of stalking. This could be any service to help victims such as counselling, information and advice, or casework; or address perpetrator offending such as perpetrator intervention programmes, however there must be specific reference to working with victims of stalking.
• Please provide details of the grant including the amount, the service provider, the services provided and the specific stalking outcome/output.
• Please indicate with a y/n if the service is open to victims of stalking who are not ex-intimate in the table below.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.


With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, please see answers in bold below.

 

2022-2023:  

 

None funded specifically for stalking however a domestic abuse Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC) is included in the Core Independent Domestic Violence Advisor service. There are no specific stalking related outcomes from this service.

 

2023-2024:

 

Name of grant 

Grant amount 

Service provider 

Services provided 

Specific stalking outcome 

Provides services for non-ex intimate victims of stalking

 Non-domestic abuse Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC)

£48,114.00

Victim support

Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker  (ISAC)  for non- domestic abuse victims.

 

  • Safety and security planning e.g. escape route/changing routines/target hardening home
  • Support around the CJS/civil remedy/court support available
  • Support around housing e.g. referral to supported accommodation/refuge
  • Liaison with key services e.g. child protection/safeguarding/legal advice
  • Access to ongoing self-support tools such as My Support Space including module on stalking, covering stalking and the law and recognising stalking behaviours

    Outcome*

Proposed KPIs

Increase in self-reported ability to cope

KPI: 80% of clients report increase

Increase in self-reported feeling of being informed

KPI: 80% of clients report increase

Increase in positive experience of Criminal Justice System

KPI: 80% of clients report increase

Increase in self-reported feelings of safety

KPI: 80% of clients report increase

Increase in self-reported feelings of confidence and wellbeing

KPI: 80% of clients report increase

Increase in self-reported level of reintegration with family/community

KPI: 80% of clients report increase

This service is for non-domestic abuse related stalking victims.

 
Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 18/04/2024

Response sent: 16/05/2024

Request:

Spend on Office supplies and associated products for the below financial years.
1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023
1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024
Start date & duration of Contract?
Is there an extension clause in the contract and, if so, the duration of the extension?
Has a decision been made yet on whether the contract is to be either extended or renewed?
Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for the contract?
Name of Incumbent Supplier?
How long have you traded with them?
If you publish your register of contracts and purchasing, can you please provide a website link.
In addition, can you confirm if you have a contract in place for Tail End Spend.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, please see answers below.

• 1st April 2022 – 31st March 2023 £380.67 Spent on Stationery and Office Consumables
• 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024 £367.79 Spent on Stationery and Office Consumables

Please note, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner does not hold information relating to contracts.

Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 09/05/2024

Response sent: 29/05/2024

Request:

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act as follows:
• The total sum of money, if any, given to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in grant funding or other funding, since 2016 to the present day.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, please see the answer in bold below.

There is no record of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) ever funding the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

 

Received: 09/05/2024

Response sent: 29/05/2024

Request:

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act as follows:
• The total staffing budget for your PCC’s private office and political staff.
• The total number of staff employed in your PCC’s private or political office.
• The salary banding of those staff.
• The declarable interests of those staff.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, please see the answers in bold below.
The PCC is a newly elected PCC, there are no budgeted posts within the OPCC that are political or private office staff at present.

The PCC is seeking to appoint a Deputy PCC, the confirmation hearing is being held on the 4th June 2024 – https://councillorsupport.bedford.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=561&MId=6439&Ver=4

The renumeration for the Deputy PCC is based upon the PCC’s salary. Ms Ali will receive 75% of the PCC’s renumeration (currently £54,975) pro rata for two days per week. This will be met from existing budgets.

There are no declarable interests at this time, as the appointment has not been confirmed.

All staff within the OPCC fall under the leadership of the Chief Executive (statutory role) to deliver the functions required of an OPCC including Governance, Commissioning, Finance and Project Management, for information surrounding OPCC team members, please visit the following webpage: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/meet-the-team/

Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 24/05/2024

Response sent: 05/06/2024

Request:

• Please confirm the reasons why Mr Akinbusoye stopped funding LNW.

• Please explain why this PCC decision is not documented in the PCC decisions log on the OPCC website.

• Please explain why the OPCC never informed LNW that the PCC had stopped funding LNW and the reasons why.

• Please explain why LNW was not given a fair hearing to challenge this PCC’s decision.

• Please explain why LNW passed quarterly inspections by the OPCC inspection team yet the PCC now claims there were issues.

• Please explain how it is fair for the PCC to discriminate against Luton residents in this way when they are subject to the highest levels of crime and ASB in the county and are therefore more vulnerable.

• Please explain why Mr Akinbusoye published a prejudicial statement about LNW implying impropriety by LNW and by me when he has a duty of confidentiality and his statement damages LNW’s reputation.

• Please explain why Mr Akinbusoye falsely claimed on 02/02/2024 to be funding LNW after stating on 26/01/2024 that he had stopped funding.

• Please explain why the above article claims that Mr Akinbusoye has allocated £20,000 to Neighbourhood Watch, when the OPCC states this is to also fund Street Watch, Dog Watch, Speed Watch and Horse Watch which are Police Watch schemes and nothing to do with Neighbourhood Watch.

• Please explain why Neighbourhood Watch is being discriminated against by its funds being given to Bedfordshire Police to manage and approve requests, when no other independent organisation is being treated in this way.

• Why were the 3 members of staff (Gov and Transparency) unable to respond to my information request submitted to Ms Villette and Mr Humberstone on 22/03/2024?

• Why has the FOI log not been updated since 29/03/2024?

• Please provide the evidence supporting Mr Akinbusoye’s claim that I received PCC grant funds from former PCC Kathryn Holloway.

• Please provide the evidence supporting Mr Akinbusoye’s claim that I received PCC grant funds from Mr Akinbusoye.

• Please provide the evidence supporting Mr Akinbusoye’s claim that there was an obligation on me to deliver any outcome, even though I have never received any grant funding from any PCC or any other organisation.

• The grant funding procedure was revised by you before LNW received its grant, please explain why Mr Akinbusoye claims he changed guidelines as a result of the PCC funding I was given.

• It is my understanding that you revised the PCC grant funding process, following the discovery of an alleged fraud of £236k in the OPCC involving another organisation, not LNW, can you please confirm if this is correct or the reason for your changes?

Neighbourhood Watch Funding

• Please explain why, Mr Akinbusoye claimed in his 2021/22 annual report and statement of accounts that Neighbourhood Watch received £6,000 in grant funding when no funding was given that year.

• Please explain why Mr Akinbusoye claimed £13,500 was given to Neighbourhood Watch in 2022/23 when only £6,750 was given to Neighbourhood Watch across the county.

• Please explain why Mr Akinbusoye claimed £14,936 was given to Neighbourhood Watch in 2022/23 when only £6,750 was given to Neighbourhood Watch across the county and he previously claimed £13,500 had been given the Neighbourhood Watch.

• Please confirm where the funds that Mr Akinbusoye claims Neighbourhood Watch received, but never received in 2021/22 and 2022/23 have gone.

• Please explain why the revised grant funding process and OPCC officers failed to identify that Neighbourhood Watch never received the alleged funding before publishing these claims in annual reports and statements of accounts.

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.


With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, please see answers below.

Please confirm the reasons why Mr Akinbusoye stopped funding LNW.

Refer to below statement.

Please explain why this PCC decision is not documented in the PCC decisions log on the OPCC website.

Refer to below statement.

 Please explain why the OPCC never informed LNW that the PCC had stopped funding LNW and the reasons why.

Refer to below statement.

 Please explain why LNW was not given a fair hearing to challenge this PCC’s decision.

 Refer to below statement.

 Please explain why LNW passed quarterly inspections by the OPCC inspection team yet the PCC now claims there were issues.

 I am unable to review claims made by the previous PCC whilst using his own social media channels.

 I am aware that the Police and Crime Panel have reviewed and completed the investigation into your complaint that covers these allegations and you have been informed of the outcome. The OPCC will not be commenting further on this matter.

 Please explain how it is fair for the PCC to discriminate against Luton residents in this way when they are subject to the highest levels of crime and ASB in the county and are therefore more vulnerable.

 Refer to below statement.

 Please explain why Mr Akinbusoye published a prejudicial statement about LNW implying impropriety by LNW and by me when he has a duty of confidentiality and his statement damages LNW’s reputation.

I am unable to review claims made by the previous PCC whilst using his own social media channels.

I am aware that the Police and Crime Panel have reviewed and completed the investigation into your complaint that covers these allegations and you have been informed of the outcome. The OPCC will not be commenting further on this matter.

Please explain why Mr Akinbusoye falsely claimed on 02/02/2024 to be funding LNW after stating on 26/01/2024 that he had stopped funding.

Refer to below statement.

 Please explain why the above article claims that Mr Akinbusoye has allocated £20,000 to Neighbourhood Watch, when the OPCC states this is to also fund Street Watch, Dog Watch, Speed Watch and Horse Watch which are Police Watch schemes and nothing to do with Neighbourhood Watch.

Refer to below statement.

 Please explain why Neighbourhood Watch is being discriminated against by its funds being given to Bedfordshire Police to manage and approve requests, when no other independent organisation is being treated in this way.

 To address the above questions, the following statement was released on the OPCC Website election page on 1 May 2024:

 Clarification on OPCC commissioning process – Neighbourhood Watch

 One of the major pieces of work carried out by the Chief Executive of the OPCC has been to overhaul the processes that support grant making and the commissioning of organisations that are funded by the PCC. As custodians of the public purse, all those who work in the OPCC have a responsibility to ensure that public money is treated respectfully and that we are able to be transparent with local residents about how their money, provided by the local precept and directly from government, is spent. How we commission services is set out in our commissioning strategy that can be accessed here https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/commissioning-strategy-2023/.

 The OPCC direct awards very few organisations with funding ie without a competitive process being followed. This means that the vast majority of organisations have to apply for funding through a competitive process. This is especially the case when there are multiple providers in the market able to provide the service required. There are some services however where there is a single supplier – Watch Schemes being an example. This means that we are able to allocate money for the County’s Watch Schemes without going through a competitive process.

 Following the overhaul of the way in which the OPCC provides funds to organisations in 2022, funding has continued to be allocated to the County’s Watch Schemes, which includes the three neighbourhood watch organisations that operate in the county, and also activity such as dog watch, horse watch and community speed watch. It is not true that any neighbourhood watch scheme has had their funding withdrawn. What is true, is that the process that we require the neighbourhood watch schemes to use to access the funding allocated to them has changed.

 In 2022/23 the funding allocated to be provided to the three neighbourhood watch schemes (following an application process) was £13,500 (3 X £4,500). The amount that was actually applied for and provided was £6,750 as per the table below. As you can see, Luton Neighbourhood Watch applied for the full amount and was provided with the full amount. In 2023/24 the allocated amount was £20,000 to cover not just Neighbourhood Watch but all of the other Watch Schemes as well. The funding is allocated by the OPCC, but the process of distribution (subject to relevant application) is managed by Bedfordshire Police as they are responsible for the majority of the watch schemes in the county.

 The neighbourhood watch schemes can apply to Bedfordshire Police for the funding that has been allocated, but must tell us how the funding is going to be spent. Funding is not provided to any organisation unconditionally as it is public money and must be accounted for. The criteria is set by Bedfordshire Police and this is aligned closely to their neighbourhood priorities. We thought that this would be the best way of ensuring that the funding was being dealt with through a single point of contact and was aligned to local priorities.

 Once it is clear what the funding is going to be spent on and it aligns with the criteria for spend, the funding is then provided (up to a pre-defined limit) and we then monitor periodically to make sure that the funds are being spent in the way outlined in the original application. This ensures that public money is spent correctly. This applies to all organisations that the PCC funds and forms part of the agreement for receiving the funding from the PCC as we want to make sure that public money is not wasted, and that our commissioning processes are followed.

 If funding that is allocated to an activity is not applied for, that funding is repurposed and goes to other organisations and we run in year mini opportunities that are advertised on the OPCC website. Recently we have advertised for Sports Focus and SEND focus and seven organisation were allocated a total of £35,000 (in equal amounts of £5000). We also recently ran a mini opportunity for Cameras, Tickets and Collisions (CTC). Further information can be found our website: https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/commissioned-services/. Other repurposing, for example with the funding for Safer Streets is carried out by the multi-agency Board that oversees the development and delivery of the projects that the specific funding supports.

 In this way we are not left with an underspend of funds that rightly should go to support victims of crime as per the PCC’s responsibilities as set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and his police and crime plan.

 The following funding has been allocated to be provided and spent by the three neighbourhood watch schemes:

 

2021-22

22-23

23-24

Bedford

£2,000

£4,500 available, £2,250 applied for and received

A share of £20,000 available, £2,507 applied for and received

Luton

£2,000

£4,500 available, £4,500 applied for and received

A share of £20,000 available, applied for £0

Central Beds

£2,000

£4,500 available, applied for £0

A share of £20,000 available, applied for £0

 A recent independent audit of the OPCC Key Financial controls provided an outcome of substantial assurance of the processes that are in place, this is highest level of assurance that can be awarded. This is the mechanism through which local residents can be assured that public money is being spent in line with correct procedures. The auditors, RSM, stated: ‘Overall, we found that the OPCC had well designed and applied controls to ensure that financial transactions are accurately recorded and suitably approved.’

 If you wish to find out more about Bedfordshire Police Watch Schemes, please click on the following link: https://www.beds.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wsi/watch-schemes-initiatives/

 The National Neighbourhood Watch also has a website, that can be found here: https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/

Why were the 3 members of staff (Gov and Transparency) unable to respond to my information request submitted to Ms Villette and Mr Humberstone on 22/03/2024?

The Governance Team were not notified of the request submitted until the 24 May 2024 – response provided 05 June 2024. 

 Why has the FOI log not been updated since 29/03/2024?

The FOI log has been updated – https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/foi-data-protection-gdpr/

 Please provide the evidence supporting Mr Akinbusoye’s claim that I received PCC grant funds from former PCC Kathryn Holloway.

 Please provide the evidence supporting Mr Akinbusoye’s claim that I received PCC grant funds from Mr Akinbusoye.

 Please provide the evidence supporting Mr Akinbusoye’s claim that there was an obligation on me to deliver any outcome, even though I have never received any grant funding from any PCC or any other organisation.

 The grant funding procedure was revised by you before LNW received its grant, please explain why Mr Akinbusoye claims he changed guidelines as a result of the PCC funding I was given.

 It is my understanding that you revised the PCC grant funding process, following the discovery of an alleged fraud of £236k in the OPCC involving another organisation, not LNW, can you please confirm if this is correct or the reason for your changes?

To address the above questions, I am unable to review claims made by the previous PCC whilst using his own social media channels.

 I am aware that the Police and Crime Panel have reviewed and completed the investigation into your complaint that covers these allegations and you have been informed of the outcome. The OPCC will not be commenting further on this matter.

 Neighbourhood Watch Funding

Please explain why, Mr Akinbusoye claimed in his 2021/22 annual report and statement of accounts that Neighbourhood Watch received £6,000 in grant funding when no funding was given that year.

 Please explain why Mr Akinbusoye claimed £13,500 was given to Neighbourhood Watch in 2022/23 when only £6,750 was given to Neighbourhood Watch across the county.

 Please explain why Mr Akinbusoye claimed £14,936 was given to Neighbourhood Watch in 2022/23 when only £6,750 was given to Neighbourhood Watch across the county and he previously claimed £13,500 had been given the Neighbourhood Watch.

 Please confirm where the funds that Mr Akinbusoye claims Neighbourhood Watch received, but never received in 2021/22 and 2022/23 have gone.

 Please explain why the revised grant funding process and OPCC officers failed to identify that Neighbourhood Watch never received the alleged funding before publishing these claims in annual reports and statements of accounts.

To address the above questions – please refer to the previous statement above.

Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 21/06/2024

Response sent: 26/06/2024

Request:

Under the Freedom of Information Act, for the tax years 2014/15 to 2022/23 inclusive, please would you please fully disclose the following details, breaking the figures by year:

1. How much revenue has been received by your organisation for services rendered to film and television productions? This could include location rental, permits and all other services related to film productions using your personnel or resources.

2. Please outline the type of work or service rendered, in each case and disclose the revenue received for each type of service.

3. How much has your organisation spent on facilitating such arrangements between 2014/15 to 2022/23, inclusive, broken down by year?

Response:

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question:

1. Our office hasn’t received any revenue for services rendered to film and television productions.

2. As per above, there hasn’t been any work or services completed relating to film and television productions within our office.

3. As per above, there hasn’t been any work or services completed, therefore no spend between 2014/15 to 2022/23.

If you require this information from Bedfordshire Police, please contact the Freedom of Information Department within Bedfordshire Police at FOI@beds.police.uk as they are a separate entity to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office.

Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 25/06/2024

Response sent: 26/06/2024

Request:

1. When are you next going through an audit of the national fraud initiative?

2. What current procedures do you have in place such as confirmation of payee against fraud?

3. What is your current confirmation of payee software incumbent product & the renewal date of the contract.

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 01/07/2024

Response sent: 02/07/2024

Request:

We are a team of NHS Psychiatrists conducting some research into existing stalking services and strategies throughout the UK within different police forces. We are aware there are some police forces which have established multi-agency stalking meetings or clinics. We are aiming to establish information on the population size, number of stalking allegations made within the area and what is already set up in terms of strategy. We would therefore kindly request that this information contained within the following survey is provided through a Freedom Of Information request.

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

 

Received: 01/07/2024

Response sent: 02/07/2024

Request:

Can you please tell me:
-If the police estate has been surveyed to see whether its buildings contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)?
-If so, when the surveys took place?
-How many buildings were identified as containing the material?
-What, if any, action has been taken as a result of the findings?
-How much money has been spent on such action to date?
-What is the total estimated future cost of action to deal with RAAC?

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

Received: 02/07/2024

Response sent: 09/07/2024

Request:

I am emailing to request some specific documents, namely the Annual Report and the Police and Crime Plan. Please could you send me the Annual Reports from 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, and any of the Police and Crime Plans you have (either electronically or a hard copy)?

Response:

** ATTACHMENTS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST **

We are required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your question, please see attached documentation requested.

Please note that there was not an Annual Report published for 2011/12.

Please come back to us if you require further assistance on this matter.

Received: 05/07/2024

Response sent: 09/07/2024

Request:

This is an information request relating to Pride Month 2024.

Please include the following information:

• Whether any events have been organised for Pride month. If so please provide the date, start and end time, and title/topic of the event

• Whether any LGBT themed merchandise has been purchased for Pride month. i.e. since the beginning of the 2024/25 financial year. If so please provide me with information on what has been purchased and the cost

• Whether the organisation have sponsored any Pride events. If so which events and please provide details of the nature of the sponsorship (particularly the financial value)

Response:

Thank you for your request. Please could you clarify whether you require this information from Bedfordshire Police or from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire?

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Received: 05/07/2024

Response sent: 09/07/2024

Request:

I am writing to inquire about the processes and criteria involved in the design and commissioning of buildings and refurbishments under your jurisdiction within the Bedfordshire region please.
Specifically, I am interested in the following aspects:
1. Design Process:
o What are the key stages in the design process for new police buildings and refurbishments?
o How are MEP (Mechanical Electrical and Public Health) Building Services engineering consultancies and architectural firms selected for these projects?
o Are there specific design standards or guidelines that must be adhered to?
2. Commissioning Criteria:
o What criteria are used to commission new buildings or refurbishments?
o How are decisions made regarding the need for new facilities versus refurbishing existing ones?
3. Sustainability and Efficiency:
o What sustainability practices are integrated into the design and commissioning process?
o Are there specific energy efficiency or environmental standards that must be met?
4. Stakeholder Engagement:
o How are stakeholders, including police personnel and the community, involved in the planning and design process?
o What measures are taken to ensure the facilities meet the operational needs of the police force?
5. Budget and Funding:
o How are projects funded and what is the typical budget allocation for such projects?
o Are there opportunities for public-private partnerships or other funding mechanisms?

Any detailed information, documents, or case studies you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Response:

Thank you for your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, however this information isn’t held by our office. Please request this from Bedfordshire Police Force directly at FOI@beds.police.uk or via their website at: https://www.beds.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/rip/request-information-police/

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