New Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be elected in November 2012, with implications for drug and alcohol services according to a Drugscope briefing.
The PCCs will be elected in each of the 41 police force area in England and Wales, and will be responsible for local police and crime plans as well as rewarding grants to organisations that reduce local crime. They will replace police authorities which will be abolished a week later. PCCs may view alcohol as a salient issue so may have a "significant impact" on the future of local alcohol service provision.
Certainly the PCCs will have great partnership potential, aiming as they do to influence the local Health and Wellbeing Boards and Clinical Commissioning Groups, all of which will fall under the oversight of the Director of Public Health. Local lay people with leadership potential may wish to apply for election to become a PCC. The Home Office has produced guidance to support interested parties.
THe Local Government Association (LGA) have also highlighted a list of useful publications relevant to the PCCs and local partnerhships.
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