Police Authority
Cheshire Police Authority's aim is to ensure that the policing service provided to the people of Cheshire is efficient and effective. We do this in a number of ways. We listen to your views and comments about policing to ensure that the service meets both your expectations and demands. We receive your comments at public meetings, workshops and by questionnaire, and these are then analysed to inform the Policing Plan, which sets out the targets that the Constabulary must meet.
The Authority comprises of 17 local people, nine councillors and 8 members of the public. Authority Members have varied skills, come from a variety of backgrounds and represent the interests of the whole Authority area.
As well as setting the targets for the year, the Authority undertakes many other functions which include:-
* setting the strategic direction for the force and holds the chief constable to account on behalf of the local community;
* holding the police budget and deciding how much council tax should be raised for policing;
* appointing (and dismissing) the chief constable and senior police officers;
* consulting widely with local people to find out what they want from their local police;
* setting local policing priorities based on what local people say matters to them and targets for achievement;
* monitoring everything the police do and how well they perform against the targets set by the authority;
* publishing a 3 year plan and an annual plan which tells local people what they can expect from their police service and reports back at the end of the year;
* making sure local people get best value from their local police;
* overseeing complaints against the police and disciplines senior officers;
Mission
"To work in partnership with Cheshire Constabulary and others to create safer communities; and increase confidence and satisfaction in policing".
Vision
"To ensure an efficient and effective police service, that is built on neighbourhood policing and tackles all levels of criminality, and makes the citizens of Cheshire safe and feel safer."
Aims
• To ensure improvements in performance and scrutiny, underpinned by robust governance structures and appropriate
• To assist in achieving a consistently high performing force
• Member support
• To provide better and more effective engagement with stakeholders
• To improve partnership working (both with the Constabulary and externally)
• To be a community leader in policing and community safety
Meetings of the Police Authority
The Police Authority meets five time a year.
In carrying out its statutory functions under the Police Act 1996, the Authority
is accountable for the following:-
Service Delivery
(1) Approve a three year Policing Strategy, setting out the strategic direction for the provision of policing services
(2) Determine the local priorities for policing — after consulting local people and the Chief Constable, publish an annual Policing Plan including Ministerial Priorities; local policing objectives; local performance targets; and the efficiency plan
(3) Develop and publish local policing summaries on an annual basis
(4) Monitor the performance of the Constabulary against the targets and objectives contained within the Policing Plan and overall performance
(5) Publish an Annual Report on the extent to which the objectives and targets have been carried out
(6) As a 'responsible authority' in line with the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (as amended), help formulate and implement crime and disorder audits and strategies
(7) Exercise its functions with due regard to the likely effect of the exercise of those functions on, and the need to do all that it reasonably can to prevent, crime and disorder
(8) Secure co-operation between forces for the provision of policing services where this is in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness of policing generally
(9) Consult and obtain the views of the community on policing and their
co-operation to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour
People Issues
(10) Approve and publish an annual Human Resources Plan
(11) Appoint and dismiss chief officers of the Constabulary and Authority in accordance with the appropriate legislation
(12) Investigate complaints about the conduct of chief officers or where appropriate refer complaints to the Independent Police Complaints Commission
(13) Keep itself informed of the workings of the complaints and discipline procedures and have regard to any guidance issued by the Home Secretary
(14) Consider an annual report on health and safety issues in the Constabulary
(15) Develop and publish statutory equality schemes
(16) Have due regard to the need to:-
• promote diversity within the Constabulary and Authority;
• eliminate unlawful discrimination;
• promote equality of opportunity; and
• promote good relations between persons of different diverse groups
• monitor and communicate the use of stop and search powers
(17) Monitor progress against the Authority's and Constabulary's statutory equality schemes
(18) Monitor the effectiveness of the Constabulary in complying with the Human Rights Act 1998
(19) Ensure effective partnership working in accordance with the Children Act 2004
Finance and Procurement
(20) Hold the police fund and maintain accounts
(21) Agree the police budget, set the precept, and issue a leaflet to all households explaining the precept
(22) Decide on an annual basis the charges for the provision of special police services
(23) Receive grants from any local council within the Authority area either unconditionally or, subject to conditions agreed with the Chief Constable
(24) Accept gifts of money or gifts and loans of other property, including commercial sponsorship of any activity of the Authority or Constabulary on such terms as appear to it to be appropriate and to consider an annual report on such activity
(25) Secure best value
(26) Pay out of the police fund and monitor any damages or costs awarded against the police in respect of torts or in relation to the settlement of a claim
(27) Consider and ensure appropriate action in response to any internal and external audit reports
Representation and advice
(28) Nominate one or more members of the Authority to answer questions on the discharge of the Authority's functions at a meeting of a relevant council
(29) Provide advice and assistance to an international organisation, institution or a police body outside the UK, subject to the consent of the Home Secretary
Ministerial Direction, Inspections and Audit
(30) Comply with any direction given by the Home Secretary on performance targets for Ministerial Priorities
(31) Comply with any codes of practice issued by the Home Secretary relating to the discharge of police authority functions
(32) Comply with any direction made by the Home Secretary following an adverse report by HMIC
(33) Comply with any direction made by the Home Secretary as to the budget requirement
(34) Comment on any HMIC report on the Constabulary and ensure that all appropriate action in response to any recommendations is taken by the Authority and the Constabulary
Miscellaneous
(35) Comply with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
(36) Maintain an effective independent Custody Visiting Scheme
(37) Maintain a Police Dog Welfare Inspection Scheme