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Police authorities
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Police authorities (87)
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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what level the reformed basic command units will be placed in two-tier local government areas under the Government's reforms.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what level the reformed basic command units will be placed in two-tier local government areas under the Government's reforms.
Asked by
Lord Pickles
(Conservative)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
28 February 2006
For answer on
2 March 2006
Answered on
9 March 2006
The Police and Justice Bill proposes to put the basic command units (BCUs) on a statutory footing and requires their boundaries to be aligned with those of local authorities. They will continue to cover a small geographical area within a force such as a town or district. In some two-tier areas, many district councils are too small to constitute a single BCU. It would therefore be possible to brigade two or more district councils to form one BCU. This would be a matter for chief constables following consultation with key partners, such as local authorities, in crime and disorder reduction partnerships and in local criminal justice boards.
Subjects
Police; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
9 March 2006
Reference
56219; 443 c1670W;443 c1670W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many basic command units there are in England and Wales; and what the (a) name and (b) location is of each.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many basic command units there are in England and Wales; and what the (a) name and (b) location is of each.
Asked by
Lord Pickles
(Conservative)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
28 February 2006
For answer on
2 March 2006
Answered on
9 March 2006
Data produced in April 2005 shows a total of 245 Basic Command Units. The names and location of each of these units is set out in the table. However, in light of the proposed provision in the Police and Justice Bill which will require BCUs to be co-terminous with local authority boundaries, many forces have reviewed their BCU boundaries. The 2006 boundary data are still being produced and will be available at the beginning of April 2006.
| Basic Command Unit Name | |
| Bath and North-East Somerset | Avon and Somerset |
| Bristol | Avon and Somerset |
| North Somerset | Avon and Somerset |
| Somerset East | Avon and Somerset |
| Somerset West | Avon and Somerset |
| South Gloucester | Avon and Somerset |
| Bedford | Bedfordshire |
| Dunstable | Bedfordshire |
| Luton | Bedfordshire |
| Cambridgeshire Central | Cambridgeshire |
| Cambridgeshire Northern | Cambridgeshire |
| Cambridgeshire Southern | Cambridgeshire |
| Eastern | Cheshire |
| Northern | Cheshire |
| Western | Cheshire |
| Bishopsgate | City |
| Snowhill | City |
| Hartlepool | Cleveland |
| Langbaurgh | Cleveland |
| Middlesbrough | Cleveland |
| Stockton | Cleveland |
| Barrow and Kendal | Cumbria |
| Carlisle and Penrith | Cumbria |
| Workington and Whitehaven | Cumbria |
| Alfreton (A Division) | Derbyshire |
| Buxton (B Division) | Derbyshire |
| Chesterfield (C Division) | Derbyshire |
| Derby (D Division) | Derbyshire |
| Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly BCU | Devon and Cornwall |
| North and East Devon BCU | Devon and Cornwall |
| Plymouth BCU | Devon and Cornwall |
| South and West Devon BCU | Devon and Cornwall |
| Bournemouth | Dorset |
| Dorset (Eastern) | Dorset |
| Dorset (Western) | Dorset |
| Poole | Dorset |
| North Division | Durham |
| South Division | Durham |
| Carmarthenshire | Dyfed-Powys |
| Ceredigion | Dyfed-Powys |
| Pembrokeshire | Dyfed-Powys |
| Powys | Dyfed-Powys |
| Basildon | Essex |
| Braintree | Essex |
| Chelmsford | Essex |
| Colchester | Essex |
| Harlow | Essex |
| Rayleigh | Essex |
| Southend | Essex |
| Tendring | Essex |
| Thurrock | Essex |
| Cheltenham and Tewkesbury | Gloucestershire |
| Cotswold and Stroud | Gloucestershire |
| Forest and Gloucester | Gloucestershire |
| Bolton | GMP |
| Bury | GMP |
| Metropolitan | GMP |
| North Manchester | GMP |
| Oldham | GMP |
| Rochdale | GMP |
| Salford | GMP |
| South Manchester | GMP |
| Stockport | GMP |
| Tameside | GMP |
| Trafford | GMP |
| Wigan | GMP |
| Caerphillyand Blaenau Gwent | Gwent |
| Newport | Gwent |
| Pontypool | Gwent |
| Basingstoke | Hampshire |
| Central Hampshire | Hampshire |
| Havant | Hampshire |
| Isle of Wight | Hampshire |
| New Forest | Hampshire |
| North East Hampshire | Hampshire |
| Portsmouth | Hampshire |
| Solent East | Hampshire |
| Southampton | Hampshire |
| West Hants | Hampshire |
| Hertfordshire (Central) | Hertfordshire |
| Hertfordshire (Eastern) | Hertfordshire |
| Hertfordshire (Western) | Hertfordshire |
| East Riding of Yorkshire | Humberside |
| Kingston upon Hull | Humberside |
| North Lincolnshire | Humberside |
| North-East Lincolnshire | Humberside |
| Canterbury | Kent |
| Maidstone | Kent |
| Medway | Kent |
| North Kent | Kent |
| South-East Kent | Kent |
| Swale | Kent |
| Thanet | Kent |
| Weald (Kent) | Kent |
| West Kent | Kent |
| Lancashire Central | Lancashire |
| Lancashire Eastern | Lancashire |
| Lancashire Northern | Lancashire |
| Lancashire Pennine | Lancashire |
| Lancashire Southern | Lancashire |
| Lancashire Western | Lancashire |
| Leicestershire (East Area) | Leicestershire |
| Leicestershire (North Area) | Leicestershire |
| Leicestershire (West Area) | Leicestershire |
| Leicestershire Central | Leicestershire |
| East Lincolnshire | Lincolnshire |
| South Lincolnshire | Lincolnshire |
| West Lincolnshire | Lincolnshire |
| Knowsley | Merseyside |
| Liverpool North | Merseyside |
| Liverpool South | Merseyside |
| Sefton | Merseyside |
| St. Helens | Merseyside |
| Wirral | Merseyside |
| Barking and Dagenham | Metropolitan |
| Barnet | Metropolitan |
| Bexley | Metropolitan |
| Brent | Metropolitan |
| Bromley and Orpington | Metropolitan |
| Camden | Metropolitan |
| Croydon | Metropolitan |
| Ealing | Metropolitan |
| Enfield | Metropolitan |
| Greenwich | Metropolitan |
| Hackney | Metropolitan |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | Metropolitan |
| Haringey | Metropolitan |
| Harrow | Metropolitan |
| Havering | Metropolitan |
| Hillingdon | Metropolitan |
| Hounslow | Metropolitan |
| Islington | Metropolitan |
| Kensington and Chelsea | Metropolitan |
| Kingston-upon-Thames | Metropolitan |
| Lambeth | Metropolitan |
| Lewisham | Metropolitan |
| Merton | Metropolitan |
| Newham | Metropolitan |
| Redbridge | Metropolitan |
| Richmond-upon-Thames | Metropolitan |
| Southwark | Metropolitan |
| Sutton | Metropolitan |
| Tower Hamlets | Metropolitan |
| Waltham Forest | Metropolitan |
| Wandsworth | Metropolitan |
| Westminster | Metropolitan |
| Norfolk Central / Southern Area | Norfolk |
| Norfolk Eastern Area | Norfolk |
| Norfolk Western Area | Norfolk |
| North Wales—Central | North Wales |
| North Wales—Eastern | North Wales |
| North Wales—Western | North Wales |
| North Yorks—Central | North Yorkshire |
| North Yorks—Eastern | North Yorkshire |
| North Yorks—Western | North Yorkshire |
| Northampton | Northamptonshire |
| Northamptonshire Eastern | Northamptonshire |
| Northamptonshire Northern | Northamptonshire |
| Northamptonshire Western | Northamptonshire |
| Gateshead | Northumbria |
| Newcastle | Northumbria |
| North Tyneside | Northumbria |
| Northumberland | Northumbria |
| South Tyneside | Northumbria |
| Sunderland | Northumbria |
| Bassetlaw/Newark and Sherwood | Nottinghamshire |
| Mansfield/Sutton in Ashfield | Nottinghamshire |
| Nottingham | Nottinghamshire |
| South Notts | Nottinghamshire |
| Bridgend | South Wales |
| Cardiff | South Wales |
| Merthyr Tydfil | South Wales |
| Neath and Port Talbot | South Wales |
| Rhondda Cynon Taff | South Wales |
| Swansea | South Wales |
| Vale of Glamorgan | South Wales |
| Barnsley | South Yorkshire |
| Doncaster | South Yorkshire |
| Rotherham | South Yorkshire |
| Sheffield Central | South Yorkshire |
| Sheffield North | South Yorkshire |
| Sheffield South | South Yorkshire |
| Chase | Staffordshire |
| North Staffordshire | Staffordshire |
| Stoke on Trent | Staffordshire |
| Trent Valley | Staffordshire |
| Suffolk Eastern | Suffolk |
| Suffolk Southern | Suffolk |
| Suffolk Western | Suffolk |
| East Surrey | Surrey |
| North Surrey | Surrey |
| North West Surrey | Surrey |
| West Surrey | Surrey |
| Brighton and Hove | Sussex |
| East Downs | Sussex |
| Hastings and Rother | Sussex |
| North Downs | Sussex |
| West Downs | Sussex |
| Berkshire East | Thames Valley |
| Berkshire West | Thames Valley |
| Buckinghamshire | Thames Valley |
| Milton Keynes | Thames Valley |
| Oxfordshire | Thames Valley |
| Warwickshire Northern | Warwickshire |
| Warwickshire Southern | Warwickshire |
| Hereford | West Mercia |
| North Worcestershire | West Mercia |
| Shropshire | West Mercia |
| South Worcestershire | West Mercia |
| Telford | West Mercia |
| Erdington / Aston / Nechells / Sal | West Midlands |
| Sutton Coldfield/ Castle Vale / Ki | West Midlands |
| Stechford / Shard End / Bordesley | West Midlands |
| Bournville / Bartley Green / Longb | West Midlands |
| Bournville / Bartley Green / Longb | West Midlands |
| Kings Heath / Billesley / Kings No | West Midlands |
| Acocks Green / Sparkhill / Sparkbr | West Midlands |
| Central Birmingham | West Midlands |
| Soho / Winson Green / Harbourne / | West Midlands |
| Soho / Handsworth / Sandwell / Per | West Midlands |
| Wolverhampton Town Centre / Wolver | West Midlands |
| Wednesfield / Bilston | West Midlands |
| Walsall North and South / Walsall | West Midlands |
| Willenhall / Bloxwich / Brownhills | West Midlands |
| Brierley Hill / Dudley / Sedgeley | West Midlands |
| Halesowen / Stourbridge / Lye/Crad | West Midlands |
| West Bromwich / Wednesbury / Tipto | West Midlands |
| Smethwick / Oldbury / Old Hill / L | West Midlands |
| Solihull / Chelmsley Wood / Shirle | West Midlands |
| Coundon / Hillfields / Tile Hill / | West Midlands |
| Fletchamstead / Stivichall / Wille | West Midlands |
| Radford / Foleshill / Bell Green / | West Midlands |
| Bradford North | West Yorkshire |
| Bradford South | West Yorkshire |
| Calderdale | West Yorkshire |
| Chapeltown | West Yorkshire |
| City and Holbeck | West Yorkshire |
| Keighley | West Yorkshire |
| Killingbeck | West Yorkshire |
| Kirklees | West Yorkshire |
| Pudsey and Weetwood | West Yorkshire |
| Wakefield | West Yorkshire |
| Chippenham (C) | Wiltshire |
| Salisbury (A) | Wiltshire |
| Swindon (D) | Wiltshire |
Subjects
Police; Police authorities
Date
9 March 2006
Reference
56216; 443 c1666-70W;443 c1666-70W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers, (b) the Police Federation, (c) police authorities and (d) individual police officers on the proposed restructuring of police forces; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers, (b) the Police Federation, (c) police authorities and (d) individual police officers on the proposed restructuring of police forces; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Baroness Featherstone
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 December 2005
For answer on
19 December 2005
Answered on
9 March 2006
ACPO, the APA and the Police Federation have been closely involved in the review of police structures including discussions on particular aspects such as finance, HR and governance. Chief Officers and police authorities have been encouraged to consult with officers and staff on the options for their force area.
Subjects
Police; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
9 March 2006
Reference
39061; 443 c1670-1W;443 c1670-1W
House
House of Commons
(2) how he intends to ensure that local authority representation on new police authorities after force mergers reflects the political composition of the relevant councils; and if he will make a statement.
(2) how he intends to ensure that local authority representation on new police authorities after force mergers reflects the political composition of the relevant councils; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Andrew Mackinlay
(Labour)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 December 2005
For answer on
9 January 2006
Answered on
14 February 2006
In order to discharge their functions effectively I believe strategic authorities should in most cases have a maximum of 23 members (in line with that of the Metropolitan Police Authority). I accept, however, that in some parts of the country, police authorities will need to be larger in order to ensure that all upper tier local authorities are represented. This is particularly important given that police authorities will continue to set a policing precept.Where there are more councillor seats on a strategic police authority than the number of upper tier local authorities, we would expect the additional councillor appointments to reflect, as far as practicable, the political balance of the relevant councils when taken as a whole.
Subjects
Councillors; Local government; Police; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
14 February 2006
Reference
442 c1987W;442 c1987W; 39605
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will ensure that each (a) county council and (b) unitary council will continue to be represented by a minimum of one councillor on any new police authority after the merging of forces and authorities; and if he...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will ensure that each (a) county council and (b) unitary council will continue to be represented by a minimum of one councillor on any new police authority after the merging of forces and authorities; and if he...
Asked by
Andrew Mackinlay
(Labour)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 December 2005
For answer on
9 January 2006
Answered on
14 February 2006
In order to discharge their functions effectively I believe strategic authorities should in most cases have a maximum of 23 members (in line with that of the Metropolitan Police Authority). I accept, however, that in some parts of the country, police authorities will need to be larger in order to ensure that all upper tier local authorities are represented. This is particularly important given that police authorities will continue to set a policing precept.Where there are more councillor seats on a strategic police authority than the number of upper tier local authorities, we would expect the additional councillor appointments to reflect, as far as practicable, the political balance of the relevant councils when taken as a whole.
Subjects
Councillors; Local government; Police; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
14 February 2006
Reference
39599; 442 c1987W;442 c1987W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from police forces and police authorities requesting the establishment of a national policing agency dedicated to countering terrorism and domestic extremism.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from police forces and police authorities requesting the establishment of a national policing agency dedicated to countering terrorism and domestic extremism.
Asked by
David Gauke
(Conservative)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 December 2005
For answer on
9 January 2006
Answered on
31 January 2006
No official representations have been made by either police forces or police authorities requesting the establishment of a national policing agency dedicated to countering terrorism and domestic extremism.There are appropriate regional and national CT structures in place to combat the terrorist threat. The Association of Chief Police Officers' Committee on Terrorism and Allied Matters sets policy and strategic direction for counter terrorism policing at a national level. Police counter-terrorist efforts are co-ordinated regionally and nationally through the Regional Intelligence Cells, the work of the National Coordinator of Special Branch and the National Coordinator of Terrorist Investigations while ensuring that force special branches maintain the essential link to local policing and local communities. The Metropolitan Police Service also has national counter terrorism responsibilities including a number of specialist units which provide support to forces. As with other aspects of policing, these structures are kept under constant review.
Subjects
Police; Police authorities; Terrorism
Date
31 January 2006
Reference
40557; 442 c371-2W;442 c371-2W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices have been issued for the misuse of fireworks, broken down by police force area.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices have been issued for the misuse of fireworks, broken down by police force area.
Asked by
Shona McIsaac
(Labour)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
11 January 2006
For answer on
16 January 2006
Answered on
24 January 2006
Offences under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 (made under section 11 of the Fireworks Act 2003) for breach of the national fireworks curfew, the illegal possession of category 4 fireworks and the possession by a person under 18 of an adult firework attract penalty notices for disorder, as well as the offence of throwing fireworks. The offence of throwing fireworks has been included in the penalty notice for disorder scheme since it was introduced nationally during 2004. The offences under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 were brought into the scheme with effect from 11 October 2004. The number of penalty notices issued by police force area for 2004 and provisional data from January to September 2005 are provided in the following table.
| Number of penalty notices for disorder issued for fireworks offences, by police force area, England and Wales2004 and January-September 2005 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | January-September 2005 (provisional) | |||||||
| Police force | Throwingfireworks | Breach of fireworks curfew | Possessionof a category 4 firework | Possessionby under 18 of adult firework | Throwingfireworks | Breach offireworks curfew | Possessionof a category 4 firework | Possessionby under 18 of adult firework |
| Avon and Somerset | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Bedfordshire | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Cheshire | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Cleveland | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Cumbria | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Derbyshire | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Devon and Cornwall | 6 | 4 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Dorset | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Durham | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Essex | 6 | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Greater Manchester | 14 | — | — | — | 9 | — | 4 | 4 |
| Hampshire | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Humberside | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Kent | 7 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Lancashire | 11 | 1 | 1 | — | 14 | 2 | — | 1 |
| Leicestershire | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| Lincolnshire | 20 | 2 | — | — | 5 | — | — | — |
| London, City of | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Merseyside | 56 | — | — | 1 | 26 | — | 2 | 1 |
| Metropolitan | 39 | — | — | — | 25 | — | 1 | — |
| Norfolk | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| North Yorkshire | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Northamptonshire | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Northumbria | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| South Yorkshire | 5 | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Staffordshire | 8 | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 |
| Suffolk | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Surrey | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sussex | 26 | — | — | 1 | 9 | — | — | — |
| Thames Valley | 23 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — |
| Warwickshire | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — |
| West Mercia | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| West Midlands | 17 | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | 1 | — |
| West Yorkshire | 27 | 1 | 1 | — | 18 | — | 1 | 2 |
| Wiltshire | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Dyfed Powys | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Gwent | 8 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| North Wales | 9 | 1 | 1 | — | 8 | 1 | — | — |
| South Wales | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| England and Wales | 332 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 177 | 12 | 12 | 20 |
| Source: RDS—Office for Criminal Justice Reform. |
Subjects
Fixed penalties; Fireworks; Misuse; Police authorities
Date
24 January 2006
Reference
42560; 441 c2024-6W
House
House of Commons
I think that I have already made it clear to the hon. Gentleman that with the assistance of CIPFA we shall be carrying out a rigorous cost-benefit analysis. I do not necessarily accept some of the figures that have been put forward. I do not think that they are an accurate reflection of the costs that will be involved. It is extremely important that we have a rigorous analysis of what the true costs are. I ask the hon. Gentleman to think clearly. One of the costs of doing nothing and one of the costs of being so conservative is that we do not make the necessary changes that Denis O'Connor, Her Majesty's inspector, has recommended. If we do not take these steps, we leave the United Kingdom vulnerable to serious and organised crime and without the ability to deal with that or to provide counter-terrorism measures. I say to the hon. Gentleman that—
I think that I have already made it clear to the hon. Gentleman that with the assistance of CIPFA we shall be carrying out a rigorous cost-benefit analysis. I do not necessarily accept some of the figures that have been put forward. I do not think that they are an accurate reflection of the costs that will be involved. It is extremely important that we have a rigorous analysis of what the true costs are. I ask the hon. Gentleman to think clearly. One of the costs of doing nothing and one of the costs of being so conservative is that we do not make the necessary changes that Denis O'Connor, Her Majesty's inspector, has recommended. If we do not take these steps, we leave the United Kingdom vulnerable to serious and organised crime and without the ability to deal with that or to provide counter-terrorism measures. I say to the hon. Gentleman that—
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Herbert of South Downs
(Conservative)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Oral answers to questions
The Association of Police Authorities has estimated the costs of the amalgamations at between £500 million and £600 million. By contrast, the Minister has said that only £125 million will be available, belatedly, to meet those costs. Will the right hon. Lady tell us whether that is new money or whether it is coming from existing police capital budgets? Will she explain how the gap, to coin a phrase, will be closed? Is it not the case that inevitably the cost and the difference will be met by local taxpayers?
Subjects
Costs; Finance; Police; Mergers; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
16 January 2006
Reference
441 c554
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I am absolutely determined to get accurate and proper financial information. It is not in the interests of the Government, the country or the forces to make decisions without that firm evidence base. That is why we have taken the step of commissioning external assistance through CIPFA—a well recognised, independent and authoritative organisation—to work with the forces and authorities, to go through the books, to examine the businesses cases and to make sure that the decisions that we make are in the interests of long-term effective policing in this country and provide a firm foundation for the years to come.
I am absolutely determined to get accurate and proper financial information. It is not in the interests of the Government, the country or the forces to make decisions without that firm evidence base. That is why we have taken the step of commissioning external assistance through CIPFA—a well recognised, independent and authoritative organisation—to work with the forces and authorities, to go through the books, to examine the businesses cases and to make sure that the decisions that we make are in the interests of long-term effective policing in this country and provide a firm foundation for the years to come.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Viscount Hailsham
(Conservative)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Oral answers to questions
The Minister will know that the Lincolnshire police authority and the Lincolnshire constabulary believe that the one-off and recurring costs of amalgamation have been grossly underestimated by the Government. That being so, will she give an undertaking to the House that before amalgamation proceeds, we can have an independent audit of the likely costs, both recurring and one-off?
Subjects
Costs; Finance; Police; Mergers; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
16 January 2006
Reference
441 c552
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My hon. Friend may well be a member of CIPFA, and I am sure that he is extremely well qualified in these matters. However, I reject entirely the proposition that he puts forward that there will never be any savings as a result of bringing these forces together. Do we need 43 different human resources departments? Do we need 43 different press offices? Similarly, do we need 43 different payroll organisations? There are considerable economies of scale to be gained from bringing together back-office services, procurement, call centres and the organisation of our police forces. We will be rigorous in making that financial examination. I do not accept that there will not, in the long term, be economies of scale that we can then reinvest in ensuring that our protective services are more effectively provided and that we protect this country against serious and organised crime.
My hon. Friend may well be a member of CIPFA, and I am sure that he is extremely well qualified in these matters. However, I reject entirely the proposition that he puts forward that there will never be any savings as a result of bringing these forces together. Do we need 43 different human resources departments? Do we need 43 different press offices? Similarly, do we need 43 different payroll organisations? There are considerable economies of scale to be gained from bringing together back-office services, procurement, call centres and the organisation of our police forces. We will be rigorous in making that financial examination. I do not accept that there will not, in the long term, be economies of scale that we can then reinvest in ensuring that our protective services are more effectively provided and that we protect this country against serious and organised crime.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
David Leslie Taylor
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Oral answers to questions
May I point out to the Minister that the name of the accountancy body in question is the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy? I declare an interest as a member of it. Does she accept that, according to estimates made in the east midlands, the set-up cost, the cost of disruption and the associated costs of the proposals will swamp the tiny savings on which the Government hang their hat? Ministers have talked about having 43 IT systems, 43 human resources systems and so on, but the revenue savings associated with having a single system in each region will probably be in the order of 2 per cent. The increase in costs associated with the disruption of major regionalisation will not be met in the foreseeable future.
Subjects
Costs; Finance; Police; Mergers; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
16 January 2006
Reference
441 c553-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I am aware that a variety of estimates of the costs of change are being floated. I do not believe that all of those are well-founded. The independent chartered institute of public finance and accountability will be working with forces and authorities over the next few weeks to establish the real costs of change and future benefits. We will then consider the position further.
I am aware that a variety of estimates of the costs of change are being floated. I do not believe that all of those are well-founded. The independent chartered institute of public finance and accountability will be working with forces and authorities over the next few weeks to establish the real costs of change and future benefits. We will then consider the position further.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Costs; Finance; Police; Mergers; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
16 January 2006
Reference
441 c552
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What I can say to the right hon. Gentleman is that I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get value for money for the investment that we make as the process goes ahead. This morning, the Conservative leader said that"““there's little evidence that the performance of the police has improved in line with this increase in resources.””"
I reject that entirely. I think that the police have performed extremely well in recent years and we have seen massive reductions in crime. Bringing forces together into bigger, strategic forces to protect neighbourhood policing will be an extremely important next step in ensuring that we continue to get value for money from our investment.
What I can say to the right hon. Gentleman is that I am absolutely determined to ensure that we get value for money for the investment that we make as the process goes ahead. This morning, the Conservative leader said that"““there's little evidence that the performance of the police has improved in line with this increase in resources.””"
I reject that entirely. I think that the police have performed extremely well in recent years and we have seen massive reductions in crime. Bringing forces together into bigger, strategic forces to protect neighbourhood policing will be an extremely important next step in ensuring that we continue to get value for money from our investment.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Iain Duncan Smith
(Conservative)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Oral answers to questions
The Minister tells us that she is making sense of what the costs will be, but we all know that in every single Government change, reshuffle or reorganisation, regardless of who is in power, costs have always been underestimated—for example, the costs of changing letterheads, signposts and badges and respraying cars. She knows very well that that will happen, so if she will not have an independent inquiry will she at least give an undertaking that the Home Office will cover all the non-operational costs—the costs of those extra changes—that will be incurred as a direct result of these ludicrous proposals?
Subjects
Costs; Finance; Police; Mergers; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
16 January 2006
Reference
441 c553
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I am sure that my hon. Friend accepts that before the Government make any commitments, it is absolutely imperative to have the full, accurate and rigorous financial examination that we will go through here. We have discussed with the Association of Police Authorities how we can fund the up-front costs—there will be some. We have decided to set aside £50 million of capital expenditure this year and £75 million next year so that we can bridge some of the costs that might well fall on us. There are other options, such as reprioritising already-planned investment decisions for several forces. There might well be a question of some prudential borrowing. Among those three areas, I am sure that we can meet the costs and reap the advantages.
I am sure that my hon. Friend accepts that before the Government make any commitments, it is absolutely imperative to have the full, accurate and rigorous financial examination that we will go through here. We have discussed with the Association of Police Authorities how we can fund the up-front costs—there will be some. We have decided to set aside £50 million of capital expenditure this year and £75 million next year so that we can bridge some of the costs that might well fall on us. There are other options, such as reprioritising already-planned investment decisions for several forces. There might well be a question of some prudential borrowing. Among those three areas, I am sure that we can meet the costs and reap the advantages.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Kelvin Hopkins
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Oral answers to questions
I thank my right hon. Friend, but she did not really answer my question, which was where the costs are going to be borne. There might be an argument about how big they are, but they should be borne by central Government, rather than local government. Will she give us assurances on that count?
Subjects
Costs; Finance; Police; Mergers; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
16 January 2006
Reference
441 c552
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for making an extremely powerful bid on behalf of her local police force. Those issues are under consideration and I shall endeavour to expedite that consideration. I pay tribute to the West Yorkshire force and the police authority for their constructive approach to the proposals to bring forces together. There are serious issues to address and local communities have concerns, but her local authority has entered into the spirit of the negotiations in an extremely constructive way.
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for making an extremely powerful bid on behalf of her local police force. Those issues are under consideration and I shall endeavour to expedite that consideration. I pay tribute to the West Yorkshire force and the police authority for their constructive approach to the proposals to bring forces together. There are serious issues to address and local communities have concerns, but her local authority has entered into the spirit of the negotiations in an extremely constructive way.
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Asked by
Chris McCafferty
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Oral answers to questions
Bearing in mind the fact that under the reorganisation plans the West Yorkshire police force meets all the criteria to remain a strategic authority, and the fact that the West Yorkshire police authority would take a huge burden upon itself if the proposed amalgamation took place, will my right hon. Friend give careful consideration to three financial measures that would aid the authority in the event of amalgamation? The first would be to fund a counter-terrorism unit. The second would be as a matter of urgency to repay to the West Yorkshire police force the outstanding claim in respect of the work that was done on the 7 July London bombings. The third and final—
Subjects
Costs; Finance; Police; Mergers; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
16 January 2006
Reference
441 c553
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Whether the full costs of the planned police force reorganisations will be borne by central Government; and if he will make a statement.
Whether the full costs of the planned police force reorganisations will be borne by central Government; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Kelvin Hopkins
(Labour)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
10 January 2006
For answer on
16 January 2006
Answered on
16 January 2006
I am aware that a variety of estimates of the costs of change are being floated. I do not believe that all of those are well-founded. The independent chartered institute of public finance and accountability will be working with forces and authorities over the next few weeks to establish the real costs of change and future benefits. We will then consider the position further.
Subjects
Costs; Finance; Police; Mergers; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
16 January 2006
Reference
441 c552; 41771
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evidential basis is for his Department's view that there is a lack of co-operation between (a) Merseyside and Cheshire police forces and (b) the North Wales police force and the four police forces in Wales.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evidential basis is for his Department's view that there is a lack of co-operation between (a) Merseyside and Cheshire police forces and (b) the North Wales police force and the four police forces in Wales.
Asked by
Elfyn Llwyd
(Plaid Cymru)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 November 2005
For answer on
28 November 2005
Answered on
9 January 2006
The consultation process is well under way and once the process has been completed we will carefully assess all options submitted to us and a decision will be made on the preferred option in the new year. As we are in the consultation phase and forces and authorities have not yet worked up business cases outlining their preferred options, we cannot comment on how police forces and authorities are co-operating. The Home Office in its guidance and subsequent correspondence on restructuring to forces/authorities has actively encouraged joint working, collaboration and data sharing on the restructuring programme.
Subjects
Cooperation; Police; Police authorities; Merseyside; Wales; Reorganisation; North Wales; Cheshire
Date
9 January 2006
Reference
441 c379-80W; 32907
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are per head of population in each police force; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are per head of population in each police force; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Baroness Featherstone
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 December 2005
For answer on
8 December 2005
Answered on
9 January 2006
The data requested is available from the ‘Police Service Strength publication as at 31 March 2005'. This report was published on 25 July 2005 and is available in the Library of the House and on:www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1205.pdf
Subjects
Police; Police authorities
Date
9 January 2006
Reference
36489; 441 c380W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the composition of newly established police authorities will be determined following the amalgamation of two or more police forces.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the composition of newly established police authorities will be determined following the amalgamation of two or more police forces.
Asked by
David Gauke
(Conservative)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
21 November 2005
For answer on
23 November 2005
Answered on
9 January 2006
In order to effectively discharge their functions, we envisage strategic police authorities having no more than some 23 members (as in the case of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA)).To maintain democratic legitimacy, I would expect the majority of police authority members to be local councillors, as now. Councillor members will be selected by the constituent county and unitary councils in the police force area. As envisaged in the Policing White Paper—'Building Communities, Beating Crime' we will seek to broaden the skills and experience of police authority members by removing the separate category of magistrate members.We will work with the Association of Police Authorities (APA) to determine a more streamlined method of appointing independent members. We would expect all police authority members to bring appropriate skills and competencies to the role to enable them to effectively discharge their responsibilities.We will also strengthen accountability at a local Basic Command Unit (BCU)/Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) level so that local communities can effectively hold newly developed forces into account. One promising way of achieving this is through the development of local policing boards. The policing boards would be responsible for setting local policing priorities in consultation with communities and holding the BCU commander to account for the delivery of the policing plan for that area.
Subjects
Police; Mergers; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
9 January 2006
Reference
441 c379W; 31513
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sanctions exist for misuse of confidential information relating to activities of the police by (a) elected local representatives and (b) police authority members, their advisers or employees.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sanctions exist for misuse of confidential information relating to activities of the police by (a) elected local representatives and (b) police authority members, their advisers or employees.
Asked by
Simon Hughes
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 November 2005
For answer on
7 November 2005
Answered on
20 December 2005
Local authorities and police authorities are required to adopt a Code of Conduct that sets out rules governing the behaviour of their members, including the disclosure of confidential information. The Standards Board for England can consider any written allegations it receives that claim a member has breached that Code. Police authority employees or advisors are not covered by this Code. Police authority employees have an employment contract that sets out the action that may be taken for misuse of confidential information. Inappropriate use of information by police authority advisers is deemed to be a ‘breach of trust' by the police authority. Authorities have a range of processes for dealing with inappropriate use of information, but no central established procedures.
Subjects
Disciplinary proceedings; Disclosure of information; Local government; Police; Police authorities
Date
20 December 2005
Reference
26107; 440 c2900W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) role and (b) composition of the police authority will be in the proposed strategic police forces.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) role and (b) composition of the police authority will be in the proposed strategic police forces.
Asked by
Lord Harper
(Conservative)
Answered by
Hazel Blears
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 November 2005
For answer on
5 December 2005
Answered on
6 December 2005
[holding answer 5 December 2005]: We continue to see a vital role for police authorities in setting priorities for strategic police forces and in holding the chief officer to account for the delivery of an efficient, effective and responsive policing service. Under the provisions of the Police Act 1996, any order amalgamating police force areas would provide for the establishment of a police authority for the new force.As now, the authority would comprise a mix of councillors, magistrates and independent members. The White Paper ““Building Communities, Beating Crime”” set out proposals for strengthening the role and composition of police authorities, including by widening the skills and experience of the membership by removing the separate category of magistrate members.
Subjects
Police; Police authorities; Reorganisation
Date
6 December 2005
Reference
440 c1110W;440 c1110W; 34617
House
House of Commons