Councillor Mehboob Khan: Local Democracy week marks one month to police and crime commissioners elections - Knowledge Hub Team

By Councillor Mehboob Khan

Chair, LGA Safer and Stronger Communities Board

Monday 15 – Friday 19 October is European Local Democracy week which aims to increase people's knowledge of local democracy and promote the idea of getting more involved locally. 

Today also marks exactly one month until the first ever elections take place across the country (outside London) for police and crime commissioners. 

Police and crime commissioners will set the budget and policing priorities in their local area. They will also be able to appoint, and if necessary dismiss, the chief constable and they will be responsible for holding their local police force to account. 

Local government will be essential in supporting police and crime commissioners in tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour, alcohol related crime and disorder and troubled families.

Police and crime commissioners will make important decisions which will affect communities and individuals on a daily basis.  However many commentators are predicting very low turnouts - as low 15 per cent in some areas. 

Everybody needs to play their part if they want to have a say in decisions that will affect them.  I would encourage you to find out as much about candidates in your area as possible so that you can decide who to vote for.  All official candidate statements will be available on the Home Office’s official website:  www.choosemypcc.org.uk.

Please do take part in any local democracy events this week and don’t forget to have your say in the police and crime commissioner elections on 15 November.