Audit Commission

Greater Manchester Police Authority is 'performing adequately', according to a new report released today by the Audit Commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

On a scale from one to four, the joint inspection team assessed the Authority's performance as 'two', which represents adequate performance.

Inspectors found that Greater Manchester Police Authority has developed excellent relationships with other public services such as councils and the health service, and with the Force's new chief officer team. It is committed to supporting the Force through a comprehensive change programme to boost frontline resources and performance. However, the Authority must forge a more strategic role, improve its scrutiny and performance management and ensure value for money in how its own and the Force's resources are used.

Greater Manchester Police Authority comprises 19 members (10 councillors and 9 independent members), and is responsible for securing an efficient and effective police force for Greater Manchester and holding the Chief Constable to account.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Roger Baker, spokesperson for the joint inspection team, said:

'The Authority understands the change needed to improve policing of Greater Manchester and has done much to help put the foundations in place. It has recruited a new chief police officer team and through its strong partnerships has secured increased funding for the Force. The Authority needs to define its vision for policing in Greater Manchester and agree a strategy to deliver this. Improved scrutiny and performance management arrangements will give members the information and knowledge needed to hold the Chief Constable to account on key issues, like dealing with volume crime and improving Neighbourhood Policing.'

Strengths include:

• Strong leadership and relationships with key stakeholders and partners such as the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities. This has delivered increased funding and ensures the Authority and senior police officers are involved in strategic decisions affecting Greater Manchester
• Effective communications and community engagement to raise awareness of the Authority and its activities, and to involve local people through innovative volunteering programmes
• Effective targeted scrutiny of specific issues concerning residents, such as policing the night-time economy, which has led to policing improvements
• Sound financial management and an ambitious estates strategy which is improving the quality of police buildings

Areas for improvement include:

• The Authority needs a clear vision for the policing of Greater Manchester
• The Authority must play a greater role in strategic planning - agreeing clear and realistic priorities and targets, therefore enabling it to better measure performance
• Performance management and scrutiny is too inflexible and infrequent. The Authority needs better management information and to engage more with the Force's own performance management system
• The Authority must ensure its own consultation and engagement activity is more joined-up with the Force and partners, so it does not duplicate other work and ensures best use of resources. It must consider whether its own staff of 50 people provides value for money

Following today's report Greater Manchester Police Authority will plan what it needs to do to improve its performance in the areas indicated.

Copies of the report are available from Greater Manchester Police Authority or from the Audit Commission website at and the HMIC website (external link).

Notes to editors

1. Greater Manchester Police Authority is one of 43 police authorities in England and Wales. It is responsible for securing an efficient and effective police force for Greater Manchester and holding the Chief Constable to account.
2. Police authority inspection provides a simple report in a straightforward way about how well each police authority is performing. It encourages police authorities to focus on continuous improvement and provides a robust independent challenge to stimulate positive change. Ultimately it is about working to improve the quality of services police authorities provide to local people.
3. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
4. Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
5. As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.
6. HMIC is an independent inspectorate, inspecting policing in the public interest and rigorously examines the effectiveness of police forces and authorities to tackle crime and terrorism, improve criminal justice and raise confidence.
7. Further information about HMIC (external link) is available on there website.

For more information, or for an embargoed copy of the full report, contact David Rose at the Audit Commission on 0844 798 6654 or d-rose@audit-commission.gov.uk