Today should have been the occasion of a presentation to Neath Port Talbot council by the new chief constable of South Wales Police, Peter Vaughan. At least once a year before the precept is set, our top local policeman says what the force has been doing, overall as well as in the county borough. There is also an outline of the programme for the coming year, followed by the opportunity for questions by members. Last year, these were quite searching.

Anyway, presumably because of the weather,  Mr Vaughan has been unable to make it to Port Talbot today, and the presentation has been postponed. I trust this postponement is not long delayed, because there are several questions which I hoped to put.

Last year, Barbara Wilding, the outgoing chief constable, promised that policing on the ground would be the last to suffer, even if the force had a poor 2009/10 settlement. There have been a few incidents of slow or inappropriate response in Cadoxton – and in the industrial park, which is actually in Bryncoch South, but which affects our residents – to give the lie to this.

She also outlined administrative measures which had increased efficiency and reduced sick leave. I had the impression that Mr Vaughan had been closely involved in these, and I hope that he can not only confirm this but also pledge that the efforts will continue.

The 101 number has been a success, but the response to email requests has been patchy, and I would have encouraged SWP to make better use of contact via the Web.

If anybody can think of other aspects of SWP performance or strategy which should be raised at the rearranged meeting, please let me know.

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