Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed here.

There were no questions submitted.

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

On 2 May 2024, Mr Rupert Matthews was elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland as a member of the Conservative Party. On 4 August 2025, Mr. Matthews announced that he had joined Reform UK. The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel has invited the Mr. Matthews to this meeting in order to answer questions relating to this decision, as it appears necessary in order for the Panel to carry out its functions.

On 2 May 2024, Mr Rupert Matthews was elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland as a member of the Conservative Party. On 4 August 2025, Mr. Matthews announced that he had joined Reform UK. The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel had invited the Mr. Matthews to this meeting in order to answer questions relating to this decision, as it appeared necessary in order for the Panel to carry out its functions.

The Panel questioned the PCC regarding his decision. Arising from the discussion, the following points were raised:

(i).          Regarding what had prompted the decision to change political allegiance, the PCC stated that he had become dissatisfied with the Conservative Party at a national level, particularly in relation to the Shadow Home Secretary, and that he felt that Reform UK had been moving in the right direction. Since the General Election in May 2024, the political landscape of the country had changed and there had been a growth in support for Reform UK and reduction in support for the Conservative Party. The PCC had hoped that the national Conservative Party would have reacted to the change in political landscape in a more positive and dynamic way than had been the case. He also stated that although Reform UK only had five sitting MPs, they often set the news agenda.

(ii).         Concern was raised that swapping of political allegiance could affect the policies which formed the basis of the PCC’s election manifesto. The PCC stated that the policies which formed the basis for his election manifesto had been converted into the Police and Crime Plan and that he was committed to delivering that Plan. He stated that the change in political allegiance would not impact the delivery of the Plan.

(iii).       Further concern was raised that change in political allegiance represented a change in personal values and that the PCC may no longer have a mandate from the public. The PCC provided assurance that his personal values had not changed and stated that there was distinction between his role as PCC in delivering the Police and Crime Plan and work undertaken outside of this capacity as a member of Reform UK. The Panel remained concerned that it would be difficult for the PCC to disassociate his personal and political values from those exercised within his professional capacity as the PCC.

(iv).       It was noted that several media releases had suggested that the PCC should call a by-election as a result of his decision. However, the PCC understood that there was no constitutional requirement for a by-election to be called.

(v).        In response to a question, the PCC confirmed that he did not anticipate any shifts in commitments, priorities, resource allocation, or community engagement strategies. However, he highlighted that changes in national policy or financial allocation could impact the work which he, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), and the Force would deliver.

(vi).       Within the Police and Crime Plan, the PCC committed to working towards increased environmental sustainability of the police estate. A question was asked as to whether the PCC anticipated any changes to this commitment, given that Reform UK was committed to removing the UK’s net zero commitments and had criticised renewable subsidies and green energy policy. The PCC stated that commitments he had made through his Police and Crime Plan would be delivered and that Reform UK’s policy position would not impact those particular commitments. The PCC emphasised that he was committed to sustainability and reducing costs but had never made net-zero commitments. He highlighted that sustainability  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

The next meeting of the Panel is scheduled to take place on 27 October 2025.

RESOLVED:

It was noted that the next meeting of the Police and Crime Panel would be held on 27 October at 14:00.