THE number two responsible for making sure the public get a say in local policing is in Church Stretton this evening (Thursday, January 23).

Barrie Seldon, deputy police and crime commissioner (PCC) for West Mercia, will be at the Silvester Home Institute.

He will be taking questions at the first meeting of the Stretton Dale Local Joint Committee to be held in 2014.

Mr Sheldon will provide an overview of the first year of the PCC role and for local residents to come along and raise issues or ask questions.

Representatives from Shropshire Council will be present to give an update on the Connecting Shropshire broadband project roll out across the county.

Residents are also encouraged to come along and raise any flooding concerns, in a standing item on the agenda.

“Local policing and community safety is a subject that is important to all of us,” said Tim Baker, chairman of the Local Joint Committee.

“Please take this opportunity to come along and raise any issues and questions you may have.”

The meeting will also include an update from the Church Stretton local policing team regarding local crime and safety, and reports on news and events from the parishes that form the LJC.

Local joint committees are part of the structure of Shropshire Council and delegate some local decision making and funding to local communities.

PCCs were introduced in November 2012 when Bill Longmore, an independent, was elected for the West Mercia Police area.

They have no involvement in day-to-day police operations but can influence strategy and priorities. Commissioners also provide a link between the public and the force and have the power to remove chief constables.

A local policing team will be at the Silvester Home Institute from 6.30pm and the meeting starts at 7pm.

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