At midnight, Adam Simmons officially became the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire, having won last week’s elections with the biggest turnout of any poll in the UK. One criticism of the PCC elections generally was that not enough information was put out there by the Government to make voters aware of what they were going to the polls for.
Mr Simmonds will be hoping to put that right by making a clear impact on the way policing operates in Northamptonshire and we wish him well in that task.
He has barely 10 weeks to prepare a budget for the coming year while at the same time he will want to make his mark, both with winning over public confidence, but also the rank and file officers, many of whom were either opposed outright or deeply uncertain about the changes proposed.
Mr Simmonds has a minumum term of three-and-a-half years and, during the campaign he showed some clear vision about the way in which the force needs to develop. It’s a big challenge and we shall be watching his progress carefully throughout his term of office.
Saturday night will see a packed Royal & Derngate theatre for Strictly Northampton, the now annual fund-raiser for Macmillan. We wish everyone taking part the very best of luck.
But most of all, enjoy it!
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