CONSERVATIVE district councillor for Ivybridge West Michael Saltern resigned from the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel last week after claims of a conflict of interest.

Appointed by South Hams Council, Cllr Saltern’s role on the panel was to provide independent scrutiny of the activities of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

During a meeting of the panel on Friday, December 9, Cllr Saltern declared a private interest, having been asked to assist the PCC office in preparation of the budget linked to the draft Police and Crime Plan being prepared by Ms Hernandez.

Ahead of last week’s meeting of the panel, Gareth Derrick, the Labour candidate at the PCC election in May, asked whether it was appropriate for Ms Hernandez to engage a member of her scrutiny panel.

Chair of the panel, Ivybridge county councillor Roger Croad, said: ‘Cllr Saltern has been liaising with OPCC, with no remuneration – I might add, at a considerable cost to his time.

‘I think, rather than bring into question his continuing to be a panel member, I think he should be commended for his dedication, basically to public service.

But Mr Derrick said that didn’t answer his question, and asked again whether the panel think it appropriate for the commissioner to have engaged a member of the panel.

Cllr Croad passed the question to his legal officer, who explained that all members are aware of the requirement to conform to the seven Nolan principles of public life, one of which is the principle of integrity.

This week, Cllr Saltern said: ‘I was asked to assist with advice in the budget preparation. My role was advisory only and was not paid.

‘It is the role of panel members to provide both support and challenge to the PCC.

‘All details of this ‘personal interest’ was placed in writing to relevant officers of Plymouth and South Hams local authorities and there was no conflict of interest established as the role was considered within the panel remit. It was duly declared at the Police and Crime Panel and is recorded in the minutes.

‘I did feel that some may not fully understand the process and for absolute clarity I decided that to avoid any misconceptions it would be appropriate for me to stand aside from the panel.’

But Tony Rea, Labour Party candidate for the Ivybridge division on Devon County Council at the election in May, said: ‘I am pleased that Cllr Saltern, who I have worked with in the past and have much respect for, has now resigned his position on the panel.

‘His work to assist the commissioner was completely incompatible with his role on the panel that is supposed to hold the commissioner to account.

‘He did the honourable thing by stepping down. However, I am disturbed that the commissioner Ms Hernandez and her staff thought it was appropriate to invite a member of the scrutiny panel to assist their work.

This week, Ms Hernandez insisted there was no conflict of interest and Cllr Saltern’s contribution was ‘invaluable.’

Her spokesman said: ‘Cllr Michael Saltern has been providing strategic financial advice, on a voluntary basis, to the OPCC since October last year. Other than some small travel expenses he has received no reimbursement.’

The spokesman drew attention to the statute established for police and crime panels, which states: ‘The functions of the police and crime panel for a police area must be exercised with a view to supporting the effective exercise of the functions of the police and crime commissioner for that police area.’

The spokesman continued: ‘In line with this, the commissioner has often sought and received the assistance of members of the panel.

‘For example, in January, three members of the panel had a private session with the PCC to suggest amendments and improvements to the police and crime plan.

‘Members of the panel have also assisted the commissioner in dealing with local matters and she believes that, if asked, all members of the panel would be willing to help and assist her in working towards an improve police force for Devon and Cornwall.

OPCC chief executive and monitoring officer Andrew White said: ‘There is no conflict in the PCC asking any person including members of the police and crime panel to assist her in her work.

‘The commissioner will continue to seek the assistance of those people that are best placed to improve the work of the OPCC.’

Ms Hernandez said: ‘I have found Mike’s input and perception invaluable over recent months. The budget he has helped us to prepare will be a rock solid base for a transitional change in the way Devon and Cornwall will be policed in the future and it has been achieved, in no small part, thanks to his contribution.

‘I am aware that he has resigned from the Police and Crime Panel and this is very disappointing. We look to the panel to provide support to the business of policing our area and Mike has done nothing but provide that support in recent months.

‘It is our intention, if he is willing, to continue to call on his expertise in the future.’

Mr Derrick, who attends every panel meeting as a member of the public, said: ‘Of course there will be instances when panel members may assist the commissioner, but this should only happen as part of a fully transparent process.’