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| Tim Passmore |
I have been out and about in Lavenham in recent days delivering some leaflets unrelated to the PCC and only one person that I have met has asked me about the forthcoming election on November 15.
Many don't know the names of the candidates, let alone what parties they stand for!
For their benefit, the three candidates for the role are Tim Passmore (pictured above) for the Conservatives link here, and Jane Basham for Labour info here . There is also an Independent called David Cocks click here and I understand that UKIP have also thrown their hat into the ring (at the eleventh hour as usual).
Does the role matter? Well I certainly think so because the person elected will control police funding. Depending on his or her priorities, it will be their decision how much resource is allocated to the different strands of policing. Among other things he or she will determine how much money (if any) goes to the three Suffolk Community Safety Partnerships. I am Vice Chairman of the West Suffolk Parnership, and we really do not want to have to cut back our very cost effective initiatives in areas such as combatting anti-social behaviour, town pastor programmes and projects aimed at reducing domestic violence.
Whoever is elected on November 15, the Chairman of the West Suffolk CSP and I have already requested an early meeting to make sure that he or she understands the merits of our case. The things we do are not as high profile or exciting as seeking out terrorists or solving murders, but they certainly do affect the day to day lives of people in the community.
The media are finally waking up to the elections. Radio Suffolk is holding a live debate in Ipswich on Thursday 25th October, and I assume that this will be broadcast on the radio. If you want to attend in person you should telephone 01299 829299 as soon as possible.
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