Police Commissioner appoints permanent Chief Executive

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has announced the appointment of a permanent Chief Executive, following confirmation by the Police and Crime Panel. Emily Spurrell has appointed Sue McTaggart MBE, an experienced leader within Merseyside Police and former Chief Executive, at North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner's Office, to lead her small team.

Sue, who has been acting as interim Chief Executive since September 2021, was selected following an open recruitment process. This involved an interview panel which included:- the Chief Executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Susannah Hancock, and the Chief of the Joint Audit Committee, David Evans, and was observed by a member of the Police and Crime Panel.

A confirmation hearing by the Police and Crime Panel, the body which scrutinises the Commissioner's work, was held yesterday with members unanimously approving the appointment.

Sue has more than 30 years' experience working within the Policing and Criminal Justice sector. Before taking up the role of interim Chief Executive she was the Programme Director for a collaboration project between Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, and Dyfed Powys Police Forces looking to streamline processes and drive efficiencies.

Her previous roles also include acting Head of Criminal Justice within Merseyside Police and Chair of the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership. She was awarded an MBE in 2011 for her services to policing, specifically victims and witnesses.

Sue, who has a Masters in Police Leadership from Liverpool Hope University, also headed up the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in North Wales between 2017 and 2018.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "I am pleased the Panel has confirmed my decision to appoint Sue to the to the role of Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer on a permanent basis. Sue has very quickly got to grips with the role during her time as interim Chief Executive, demonstrating a strong understanding of the demands and requirements of the position and the Office and a drive to deliver excellence for communities across our Region. Sue is an extremely committed public servant who has already dedicated more than 30 years to serving the people of Merseyside and has been honoured with an MBE for her work supporting victims and witnesses. She is hugely knowledgeable about the policing and criminal justice landscape in the Region, has a wealth of experience at leading change and collaborating with partners, and understands the challenges facing our Police service going forward. I have no doubt Sue will do a fantastic job leading my Office and I look forward to working with her to deliver my vision for policing and crime prevention services to make Merseyside an even safer place to live, work and visit."

Sue said:- "I'm delighted the Commissioner has selected me to take up this position permanently and this decision has been confirmed by the Panel. This is a challenging, busy and exciting time for policing on Merseyside. I'm honoured to have been appointed to lead the Commissioner's team to help deliver her strategic vision for policing and community safety, ensuring her priorities are delivered and her office is providing the best possible service to the public of Merseyside. The safety of our families and communities is of utmost importance to us all, so, it is a privilege to take up this role working with the Commissioner, Merseyside Police and our partners."

Sue, who was Chair of Merseyside Police's gender equality network, joined the Force in 1989, as a Communications Officer in the Police Control Room before moving on to manage the Police National Computer (PNC) Bureau. In 1999, she became a unit manager in Criminal Justice and went on to work her way up through the department to manage 600 staff within the organisation.

In a letter unanimously approving the appointment, the Chair of the Police and Crime Panel, Cllr Barbara Murray praised both Sue and the transparency of the recruitment process.

Cllr Murray wrote:- "Panel Members were particularly impressed with the manner that Sue responded to our questioning, demonstrating that she was a professional, personable and knowledgeable candidate. In addition, the Panel wished to place on record its satisfaction with the openness and transparency of the recruitment process carried out for this position."

OShould Liverpool host the 2023 EuroVision on behalf of Ukraine?

FOLLOWING the announcement that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest could be held in the UK, Liverpool has officially offered to host the event in solidarity with the Ukraine. The European Broadcast Union has today confirmed it is looking for another location to be home to the competition due to the ongoing war in the Ukraine. As England's only UNESCO City of Music, Liverpool has officially thrown its hat into the ring, promising to pay tribute to the war torn country if it is selected to host the prestigious event. An approach to organisers has been made and the City is preparing to draw up plans which would look at options for venues and the opportunity to reflect Ukraine's culture in a Schools and communities programme.

Liverpool was pivotal to the post Covid re-emergence of the live music industry, staging the world's 1st music concert and nightclub event in a trial to understand how venues and events could operate safely as the Pandemic regulations eased. With an enviable events calendar that features some of the best large scale music activities, shuck as:- Africa Oyé, Liverpool International music Festival and Sound City to name just a few, a diverse music scene and of course being home to1 of the greatest bands ever with the Beatles, Liverpool's music credentials are second to none. And it's not just music where the City excels. It's award winning team in Culture Liverpool delivers some of the biggest events the UK has seen; the 3 visits of the Giants, the Cunard vessels on the Mersey and more recently the hugely successful Liverpool Football Club victory parade. All this under the leadership of Culture Director Claire McColgan who earlier this month was appointed CBE for her achievements and services to culture and arts across the country.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said:- "We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and would like the opportunity for Liverpool to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest and in doing so pay tribute to their wonderful country. We are an events City and no1 can stage a party like us. Culture is synonymous with Liverpool and we tick all the boxes to be next year's host; great venues, enviable experience, a world-renowned music heritage, UNESCO City of Music status and of course the warm Scouse welcome that just can't be beaten. The event would become a beacon of hope around the world and we hope that Liverpool as an unrivalled music brand is given serious consideration by the decision makers."

Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan CBE, said:- "The joy, colour and exuberance of Eurovision is intrinsically Liverpool. It's a perfect match. This City knows how to stage an event, and more importantly how to stage it appropriately given the circumstances in which it has come to the UK. Liverpool is committed to doing all it can to mark, honour and promote Ukraine during the event and in doing so, ensure the global platform is used to celebrate national identity, creativity and extraordinary resolve."

If you agree please do re-tweet our Twitter Post and leave a comment as to why you think Liverpool should get to host it.