Sussex 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 Sussex Police Authority has improved the performance of policing in Sussex over the past two years. It set the Chief Constable a clear remit to improve local policing performance, and this is being delivered. It is improving the way it scrutinises police performance. The Authority's annual planning is effective, but it still needs to make clear its longer-term direction and plans for Sussex Police. It also needs to improve its work to deliver value for money, to make sure that it is ready to meet future financial challenges.
Sussex Police Authority comprises 17 members (9 councillors and 8 independent members), and is responsible for securing an efficient and effective police force for Sussex and holding the Chief Constable to account.
The Audit Commission's Sandra Prail, spokesperson for the joint inspection team, said:
'The Chair and members of the Police Authority, and the staff it employs, are highly capable. The Authority is well organised and has been influential in improving policing in Sussex. With a tough financial climate ahead, it is vital to ensure the Force achieves best possible value for money, while continuing to provide the services local people need. The Authority needs to be clear on setting the future direction for the Force to achieve this.'
Strengths include:
- The Authority's effective influence is improving policing for local people. Crime has reduced and this has been achieved while keeping costs lower than many other forces.
- Good leadership is used to influence priorities and to establish effective actions and shorter-term spending plans for local policing in Sussex.
- The Authority has improved. It has better working practices and is now organised effectively, with the capacity to hold the Force to account.
Areas for improvement include:
- The future strategic direction for the Force is not yet clear. This planning is needed so that the Force can better balance future policing challenges and spending in a tough financial climate.
- The Authority needs to make better use of the information it gains from its consultation - so that its actions are clearly based on public views. To do this it also needs a more complete profile of its communities.
- The Authority has not set sufficiently challenging targets for the Force. It has a supportive relationship with the Force, but it doesn't always openly challenge and push for improved performance. This aspect of its work is still developing.
- The Authority still needs to better spread out work across all its members, improve the training it gives to them and make sure that they are all clear about their individual and collective roles.
Following today's report Sussex Police Authority will plan what it needs to do to improve its services to meet the changing needs of its communities.
Copies of the report are available from Sussex Police Authority or from the Audit Commission website and the HMIC website (external link).
Notes to editors
- Sussex Police Authority is one of 43 police authorities in England and Wales. It is responsible for securing an efficient and effective police force for Sussex 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.
- The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Further information about HMIC is on their website
For more information, contact Callum Collins at the Audit Commission on 0844 798 8844 or ca-collins@audit-commission gov.uk