Watch Dorset policing debate and Chief Constable appointment online this week

A meeting to consider the appointment of Dorset's next Chief Constable will be screened live online this week, as the county council makes its first-ever 'webcast'.

Thursday's (7 February) meeting of the Police and Crime Panel at County Hall, Dorchester, will be available to view over the internet at www.dorsetforyou.com/webcast

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The panel will decide whether to approve the appointment of Debbie Simpson as the head of Dorset Police, as recommended by the county's new Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill.

It will also consider the Commissioner's draft Police and Crime Plan for Dorset, which sets out his priorities for the next five years, plus his recommendation to increase the police council tax charge by 1.95 per cent in 2013/14.

The Dorset Police and Crime Panel is made up of representatives from the county council and all of Dorset's borough and district councils, including Bournemouth and Poole, plus two independent members.

It was set up to scrutinise the decisions of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and hold him to account. It has the power to overturn his recommendations if members are not happy with them.

This will be the first time Dorset County Council has broadcast a meeting over the internet, and it will be available to view from 10.30am.

County council Leader Councillor Angus Campbell, who also chairs the Dorset Police and Crime Panel, said: "Not everyone can get along to council meetings, so this technology is a step forward in helping people understand how the council makes decisions.

"This webcast will give local people the opportunity to hear discussions about the major issues facing Dorset Police, and how the new Police and Crime Commissioner intends to deal with them. It will be a chance to see both democracy and policing in action.

"We hope it will be of interest to local people, and will be using the webcast as a pilot to see whether residents would be interested in watching other council meetings online in the future."

For more information about the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner's proposals which will be considered at the meeting, go to www.dorset.pcc.police.uk