POLICE AUTHORITIES
WALES
VALUE FOR MONEY STATEMENT
2010-13
Introduction
In the White Paper ‘Protecting the Public – Supporting the Police to succeed’ the Home Office set out an expectation that £545million per annum will be saved across the police service by 2014. To drive this forward the paper announced the requirement of each Police Force to publish a Value for Money (VFM) statement.
The VFM statement focuses on how each force is using its available resources most efficiently and effectively. This statement shows Police Authorities Wales (PAW) approach to VFM.
This statement addresses the requirements of the Home Office report by the High Level Working Group Report on Police Value For Money.
Value For Money Considerations
Each Police Authority in
Wales has a statutory duty to ensure an efficient and effective police service to all the citizens in their particular force area.
Members of Police Authorities Wales (PAW) are empowered to ratify proposals relating to the provision of joint services or facilities where such services or facilities may be provided under the Local Government Act 1972 or where the approval of the Police Authorities to the provision of such services or facilities is required under section 23 of the Police Act 1996, where these have been included in the approved Annual Business Plan and Budget.
The policing environment is highly complex and variable and this is reflected within the funding mechanisms for the police service, which provides different levels of resources to different forces depending upon their relative need and the indicators of crime. Essentially the formula funds the potential demand rather than actual demand for policing services.
The collaboration programme is equally as complex, with funding and resources being received from various sources (details of which can be found within the National Policing Plan for
Wales).
Demand for greater levels of policing at a regional level must be balanced with the availability of limited resources and the requirements of individual forces.
Value for Money is above all concerned with quality and maintaining standards of service that reduce risk, harm and threat.
An appropriate level of capability and capacity is essential to protect the public from level two crimes.
The need for specialist services is as important as the need for high visible patrol the police service in
Wales needs to be capable of meeting all emergencies.
Collaborative Planning and Strategies
PAW has developed a medium term policing plan which is underpinned by regional strategies and objectives that aim to continually improve the policing service, deliver better value and take advantage of opportunities for joint working:
PAW has approved the following strategies:
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All
Wales Procurement Strategy
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All
Wales IS & T Strategy
Work is ongoing to develop strategies in other areas, including Human Resources, Estates, Finance and Fleet.
National Policing Plan for
Wales
The plan will set out the policing priorities and activities that the Region will focus on over the coming year.
Performance Monitoring
The delivery of the overall policing plan will be monitored by the PAW on a quarterly basis.
Audit
The Wales Audit Office will publish an Annual Police Use of Resources assessment as well as Annual Management Letter to provide public assurance on the arrangements for securing Value For Money.
The HMIC will publish a balanced Scorecard report on each police authority (which should include collaboration) including delivery of Value for Money.