14 July 2010
Police Authority Publish Annual Report
South Wales Police Authority has today published its Annual Report for 2009-10.
The annual report, which can be found at the Police Authority website –
www.southwalespoliceauthority.org.uk, highlights the excellent performance of the police during the last 12 months. The report shows that nearly 14,000 fewer crimes took place between April 2009 and March 2010, which is equal to 37 less victims of crime every day.
Chair of the Police Authority, Councillor Russell Roberts, said: “The annual report has been published today to show the excellent work that has taken place over the last 12 months. During the last year, we set the Chief Constable some very tough targets in terms of reducing crime and increasing confidence in the police. I am pleased that so many of these targets have been met, which has had a dramatic effect on South Wales. For example, the number of sexual offences committed during the year has reduced by 17%, which is the most improved nationally.”
The annual report sets out the work of the Authority during the last 12 months in areas including collaboration, quality of service, community engagement, equality, performance, and finance.
In addition, the report also sets out the allowances and expenses claimed by Police Authority Members during the last 12 months, along with levels of meeting attendance.
Councillor Roberts said: “The last year has been very busy for South Wales Police Authority. Our annual report reflects the huge amount of work which is completed each and every year by the Authority – largely invisible to the general public.
“This year we have included the allowances and expenses claimed by Members, along with their attendance record. We want to be as open and transparent as possible with this. The attendance figures shown represent the official Police Authority meetings, along with many of the duties undertaken within their communities. However, the table does not include additional time spent reading papers and preparing for meetings, or travelling time. This ‘hidden’ commitment is significant.”
In line with the Authority’s Members Allowances Scheme, representatives with special responsibilities receive an increased allowance, which is due to the additional responsibilities they have. This includes the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Authority, along with Chairs of each of the Authority’s Groups. These responsibilities are not confined to local policing but extend to regional and national issues.
Chief Executive of the Police Authority, Alan Fry, said: “A Police Authority Member holds a position of significant responsibility in South Wales. They are responsible for such duties as appointing the new Chief Constable, holding the £250m police budget, agreeing the council tax and setting the annual policing priorities. As such, we expect a minimum commitment of around 7-10 hours a week for Police Authority duties, which include official meetings at Headquarters, meeting local police officers, and consulting the public. For this, a basic responsibility allowance is paid to each member, with an additional special responsibility allowance payable to those who lead on different issues, such as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Authority. Although we are the eighth largest Force, the allowances we pay are less than most other Police Authorities in England and Wales.
“For the past five years, we have published our Members allowances together with their expense claims, and this year we have added attendance figures to highlight the open and transparent way we do business. The vast majority of our Members attended over three quarters of official meetings, which shows a good level of commitment.”