APPENDIX 22
Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Northern Ireland Office
FOLLOW UP TO ORAL EVIDENCE GIVEN ON 19 JANUARY 2005
As agreed during my attendance at the above hearing
I am replying to you on two issues you wished me to consider and
clarify.
COST OF
THE APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT
DPP MEMBERSI understand that the
Policing Board had included in their memorandum to the Committee
in September 2004 a budget of approximately £950k for the
appointment exercise.
I can confirm that the Policing Board has now received
notification of its SR2004 settlement, which includes the necessary
funding to cover the cost of the recruitment exercise as originally
planned.
However, the Policing Board has decided to review
its approach to the recuitment process and this revised approach
should have a resultant lower cost. No figures are yet available
but it will be necessary for the Board to submit a revised Business
Case which I will carefully scrutinise to ensure that it provides
value for money.
PROCEDURES FOR
COMPLAINTS AGAINST
THE POLICING
BOARDI also agreed to consider
the question of the role of the Secretary of State in complaints
against the Board as Mr Reaney the Chief Executive had outlined
in his oral evidence to the Committee on 8 December.
The Policing Board have confirmed that there is no
provision within the Board's Complaints Policy for appeals or
for further stages of the complaints process outwith the Board.
I understand that the Chief Executive's response was made in the
context that it was the Secretary of State who appointed Board
Members and that there is logic in a complaint about the Board
going to the authority which appointed the Board. However, this
is not formally set out in the Board's policy.
9 February 2005
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