MP does not have a 'scooby-doo' says councillors

Much of the debate has focused on the number of existing officers

The much-debated Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is not a "scooby-doo" says Nottinghamshire's councillors.

The role of PCC is to hold the police to account. In return, the police are not meant to interfere with the commissioner's work. However, councillors are concerned that might still happen if the PCC is also the elected mayor for Nottingham.

Conservative councillor Kevin Clarke said: "You can't be both mayor and PCC. How could you hold your own police force to account?"

Councillors do not believe one person could do both jobs effectively

Labour councillor David Mellen argued it is was too big of a job for one person.

He said: "You've got to ask yourself the question, can you do two jobs effectively? I don't believe you can."

The PCC also has a budget of over £160m, which is more than double the size of the mayor's current budget.

The Government has said the two roles can be combined

The Government has said PCCs can hold both roles but the roles should not overlap.

Councillor Clarke countered: "The Government has got it wrong. The PCC should just be PCC. You could be the mayor of Gotham but not the police commissioner of Gotham."

A spokesman for the Government said: "The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 provides clarification of the relationship between PCCs and the role of Mayor. The statutory guidance on PCCs and the role of Mayor ensures that nobody should hold both offices if it would lead to a conflict of interest or a duplication of functions."