Commissioner and deputy go ‘back to the floor’

Dyfed-Powys police and crime commissioner (PCC) Christopher Salmon and his deputy Tim Burton spent a day experiencing grassroots working life in North Powys.

Mr Salmon worked at Newtown police station thanks to a ‘Back to the Floor’ exercise organised by the Powys Local Service Board (LSB). Mr Burton spent his day with Age Cymru Powys, formerly known as Age Concern Powys, an independent charity that operates services for the over-50s.

The commissioner said: “It was a privilege to experience a day in the life of operational members of staff. We both gained a greater understanding of today’s key issues and pressures; the knowledge will help us in our strategic decision-making as we strive to offer a policing service that puts the public first.”

Mr Salmon witnessed an operational briefing, undertook foot and road patrols and met officers from departments such as CID and custody.

Mr Burton was based at the Age Cymru Powys information and advice centre. He shadowed the service’s information and advice manager, listened to client issues and discussed work issues with project staff.

Councillor David Jones, leader of Powys County Council and LSB chair, said: “The LSB aims to improve how the main public service organisations work together to tackle challenging issues so the people of Powys receive the best services possible. Back to the Floor Week was one way we came together and gained valuable insight towards this.

“We focused on Newtown as the learning will feed into a neighbourhood management pilot which is underway there. Neighbourhood management will design and deliver local services to meet identified needs; it involves the community in the process to better address issues and create solutions. We hope to replicate Back to the Floor across other areas of Powys.”

Mr Salmon was elected PCC in November with Mr Burton appointed in April.

Powys LSB members include Powys County Council, Powys Teaching Health Board, Dyfed-Powys Police and the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations. Back to the Floor provides the chance for LSB members, chief officers and directors to experience partner services and identify barriers that make collaboration and improvement difficult for frontline staff and the public.