Memorandum submitted by Bedfordshire Police
Authority
I understand that since your letter, dated 14
October 2009, it has been agreed that you will receive co-ordinated
submissions from both the Association of Police Authorities (APA)
and Association of Chief Police Officers.
I would therefore like to briefly highlight
the situation in Bedfordshire rather than draw on the bigger picture
that the above submissions will provide.
As you have implied in your letter Bedfordshire is
one of those Authorities that has been badly affected by the way
that funding is distributed. Since 2006-07 Bedfordshire have had
their grant, calculated through the funding formula, reduced by
approximately £3.9 million per annum.
To address the funding shortfall in 2008-09
we attempted to supplement the savings being generated through
internally led initiatives with an increase to the council tax
following consultation and support from the public but the Home
Secretary designated the Authority at the time. Clearly the ability
to increase precepts since this time has reduced further with
an expectation that in the coming years increases will be limited
to 3% or less.
Bedfordshire will continue to look for opportunities
to deliver efficiency savings in innovative, as well as more conventional,
ways.
In the past, 2008-09, these were achieved through
a significant restructuring of back office functions resulting
in savings of approximately £1.7 million.
More recently we have expanded on our previous
collaboration work, particularly with Hertfordshire, resulting
in both efficiency savings of £2.3 million being delivered
across the two Forces in 2010-11 and a more productive and resilient
service for the public.
Bedfordshire have also undertaken a Home Office
sponsored programme, Operation Quest, focussed on process improvement
and developing organisational capability which will complement
the workforce modernisation review being pursued. Clearly this
work may in itself have implications on workforce skill mix and
therefore police officer and staff mix.
Despite this proactive approach Bedfordshire
Police Authority are still facing very difficult decisions over
the next three years to try to minimise the negative impact on
the policing service the public receives at a time when the police
and their partners will be judged on confidence targets.
The only other option for change that Bedfordshire
Police Authority may consider in the foreseeable future is a voluntary
merger with Hertfordshire, if supported by the Chief Constables
and following consultation with the communities and workforces
affected.
Bedfordshire Police Authority supports the APA
submission that it is being sent under separate cover and hopes
that the perspective this letter provides is helpful.
November 2009
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