Title and Reference – PCC/D/086
Subject: Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire Festus Akinbusoye to continue in role as PCC whilst campaigning in the Mid Beds parliamentary by-election
Report of: Police and Crime Commissioner
Date: 15/06/2023
Summary:

Festus Akinbusoye, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Bedfordshire has been selected to stand as a candidate for the Conservative Party in the by-election for Mid-Bedfordshire, when it is called.
The PCC will continue in his role as PCC while he campaigns ahead of the by-election. A statement has been released on the OPCC website to confirm further details:

“Festus Akinbusoye will continue in his role as Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner holding the Chief Constable to account for delivering his Police and Crime Plan priorities. That work is supported by a dedicated team, including his Deputy PCC Ian Dalgarno, and will continue to be led by the PCC.
“While Mr Akinbusoye will undoubtedly now be campaigning for the upcoming by-election after being selected as the Conservative Party candidate for the Mid Bedfordshire constituency, he will continue to carry out his PCC duties. This will include his weekly holding to account meetings with the Chief Constable and with the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer, chairing the Bedfordshire Criminal Justice Board, monitoring the delivery of his commissioned services that support victims of crime in the county and attending the Police and Crime Panel.
“Much of Mr Akinbusoye’s work as PCC is out in our communities engaging with local residents, local businesses, schools and partners, which will also continue.”

https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/statement-following-festus-akinbusoye-being-selected-as-conservative-party-candidate-for-mid-bedfordshire/

The PCC will continue with his scheduled meetings and receive his full renumeration. A separate decision relates to the claiming of expenses during the campaign period.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire will not have any role or involvement in the parliamentary campaign. Members of staff of the OPCC excluding the DPCC, are politically restricted. The DPCC, whilst a member of the OPCC, is not politically restricted.

Anna Villette, Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire can be contacted for any further information regarding this decision at: Anna.Villette@beds.police.uk.

Recommendation:
To note decision
Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner
I hereby approve the recommendations above.