Sussex Police Authority
County Hall
St Anne's Crescent
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1SW
Tel : 01273 481561
Sussex Police Authority -
Committee Structure
In addition to the full Police Authority meetings, members are appointed to serve on the following committees to carry out some of its functions:
- Corporate Governance Committee
- Chief Officers' Appointments Committee
- Professional Standards Committee
- Standards Committee
- Independent Custody Visiting Committee
The Authority is currently reviewing the way it conducts its business with a view to developing further its monitoring and scrutiny responsibilities.
Corporate Governance Committee
- to receive reports from the Treasurer, on behalf of the Police Authority, on the provision of internal audit services to meet the requirements under the current Accounts and Audit Regulations and Section 112 and Section 114 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, to provide an adequate and effective internal audit of the accounts of the Authority;
- to receive reports, on behalf of the Authority, on the Authority’s external audit arrangements;
- where appropriate, to ensure that recommendations contained in internal audit and/ or external audit reports, particularly those detailing opportunities for achieving efficiency savings and/or cost reductions, are adequately considered;
- to receive reports as necessary from the Treasurer concerning all significant irregularities;
- to receive and consider, on behalf of the Police Authority, the External Auditor’s Annual Audit Letter concerning the annual audit of the accounts of the Authority, and to recommend any appropriate action to the Authority;
- to approve, on behalf of the Police Authority, the Annual Statement of Accounts, income and expenditure and balance sheet, or records of payments and receipts as required under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 before the accounts are incorporated in the Annual Report;
- to exercise the powers and duties of the Police Authority under all employment legislation and associated codes of practice in relation to health and safety matters under Part 1 of the Health and Safety Work etc Act 1974;
- to make recommendations to the Authority in relation to any proposed revisions to the Authority’s Standing Orders on contracts and financial regulations;
- to review and adjust delegations to chief officers within the functions delegated to the Committee;
- to exercise the Authority’s responsibilities in relation to corporate governance, risk management and other regulatory issues falling to be dealt with by the Police Authority.
Chief Officers' Appointments Committee
General functions:
- To discharge the Authority's responsibilities in relation to the appointment, pay and conditions of service of the Chief Constable, the Assistant Chief Constables, the Clerk, the Solicitor and Deputy Clerk and the Treasurer of the Authority.
Professional Standards Committee
- To undertake the Authority’s responsibilities under s.77 of the Police Act 1996 to keep itself informed as to the manner in which complaints from members of the public against members of the Force are dealt with by the Chief Constable.
- To inspect the record of complaints and completed action taken upon them.
- To receive information reports on completed investigation into complaints from members of the public against civilian staff.
- To receive reports on any civil claims or tribunal cases against the Chief Constable which, on grounds of sensitivity or significance, the Chief Constable wishes to bring to the attention of the Committee.
- To report to the Authority such issues as the Committee considers appropriate.
Standards Committee
- To promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members of the Police Authority and to assist Members to observe the Authority’s Code of Conduct.
- To advise the Police Authority on the adoption or revision of a local Code of Conduct.
- To monitor and advise the Police Authority on the effective implementation of the Code, including arranging for the training of members on such issues as the treatment of personal interests, and on conduct matters more generally.
- In the light of the new model code, to decide the arrangements for members to receive dispensations to speak on, or participate in, matters in which they have an interest.
- To approve and keep under review "whistle blowing" procedures insofar as they relate to members.
- To support the Monitoring Officer in discharging his role in respect of standards of conduct and behaviour including considering any reports from the Monitoring Officer on any matter referred to the Committee from the Standards Board, or otherwise relating to ethical standards.
- To decide all matters, including procedures for the proper investigation of alleged breaches of conduct relating primarily to conduct and propriety referred to it by the Monitoring Officer.
Independent Custody Visiting Committee
- to review reports from independent custody visitors and to ascertain how any necessary action has been effected
- to monitor each independent custody visiting panel and the frequency of visits to each of the custody centres
- to agree the arrangements for the appointment of panel co-ordinators and for liaison with the appointed co-ordinators
- to review membership of local panels and to oversee the recruitment, selection and appointment processes [Note: the non-voting adviser representative of the CJD would not participate in the actual recruitment process]
- to determine training requirements and arrange the provision of training
- to receive and deal with any complaints relating to independent custody visitors
- to arrange regular meetings with panel co-ordinators and the Annual Meeting for all independent custody visitors
- to consider ways and means of publicising the work of independent custody visitors and attracting volunteers from the whole community
- to report to the Police Authority on the operation of the independent custody visiting scheme from time to time
The Authority has also established working groups for community liaison
and planning and performance management which report to the Authority.
