A PANEL that will scrutinise the new police commissioner for Gloucestershire has held its inaugural meeting.

The Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel met for the first time last week.

The panel, which is made up of cross-party representatives from all seven Gloucestershire councils as well as independent members, is part of the new process of managing policing in the county.

In November, elections will be held to select the county’s first ever Police and Crime Commissioner, and the new panel will act on behalf of the public to review the commissioner’s role.

The panel’s powers include the ability to require the Police and Crime commissioner to attend meetings and answer questions, the ability to review the commissioner’s draft police and crime plan setting out police priorities for the area and the power to veto the commissioner’s police precept.

At the panel’s first meeting Cllr Brian Calway, of Tewkesbury Borough Council, was appointed chairman and Cllr Kathy Williams, who sits on both Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucester City Council, was elected as vice-chairman.

Cllr Calway said: "I am delighted to lead this extremely important panel.

"It will play a crucial role in supporting the effectiveness of the new Police and Crime Commissioner when they are elected in November.

"The panel must be politically impartial and we will be asking the right questions and providing checks and balances on behalf of the public."

The panel is currently made up of 10 elected councillors but two further independent members are being sought.

Anyone interested in joining the panel should visit Gloucestershire County Council’s website for an application pack. The closing date for applications is August10.

For more information visit, www.gloucestershire.gov.uk