Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what will be the composition of Policing and Crime Boards following the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners; whether they will contain independent members; how will they be politically balanced.

Policing and Crime Boards will bring together elected council leaders to oversee the force in their area. They are likely to include upper tier local authority council leaders as well as independent co-opted members, who will bring unique skills and expertise.

We propose that they will be supported by a Policing and Crime lead who will provide day-to-day oversight of the force. We are working closely with a range of stakeholders on the design and implementation of Policing and Crime Boards, with Transition Working Groups to commence in January.

We plan to legislate to abolish Police and Crime Commissioners and create Policing and Crime Boards, when parliamentary time allows.