police - what is the link with the local authority

[zebedee]

are they employed by the local authority or are they totally independent police authorities that just happen to have the same boundaries for ease of admin?

[lunarscope]

zebedee said:

are they employed by the local authority or are they totally independent police authorities that just happen to have the same boundaries for ease of admin?

I don't think the local authority boundary has any bearing on the Police.
For example, where I live (County of Denbighshire) the police are called "North Wales Police" and cover several counties.

[tvrgit]

Police Authority is not a sub-department of a local authority.

Where the confusion can arise is that some members of the Police Board may also be local authority members (councillors) in the area.

[zebedee]

so police officers are not employees of the council - they would be employees of the state presumably?

[Eric Mc]

Police Authorities are independent and separately administered from Local Government. However, part of theiur budgets are provided from rates and Council Tax.

[chrisgr31]

Eric Mc said:

Police Authorities are independent and separately administered from Local Government. However, part of theiur budgets are provided from rates and Council Tax.

Historically it was not shown seperately on a Council Tax bill, however it is now.

I believe they may also share some administrative functions with county councils. However in policing matters they are independent, although of course camera partnerships cloud the lines as the police are partners with various authorities

[zebedee]

chrisgr31 said:

Eric Mc said: Police Authorities are independent and separately administered from Local Government. However, part of theiur budgets are provided from rates and Council Tax. Historically it was not shown seperately on a Council Tax bill, however it is now. I believe they may also share some administrative functions with county councils. However in policing matters they are independent, although of course camera partnerships cloud the lines as the police are partners with various authorities

how about in planning issues - do the police have any say in a planning scheme, would schemes be passed to them for their comments as a matter of course, or is itpurely down to the District or Borough Council's Planning dept?

[Eric Mc]

Yes they do. Applications for events often have to be cleared with the local police, especially where large crowds are expected, increased traffic and/or road closures or alterations.

[mybrainhurts]

lunarscope said:

For example, where I live (County of Denbighshire) the police are called "North Wales Police".....

No they're not.

That lot are called.......

SuperTwatts........

[simpo two]

Police are paid for by your Council Tax, ie from your County Council or equivalent. So they are connected which is why they buddy up so conveniently into 'Partnerships' to make us 'Safer' :rollleyes:

[shirepro]

The police are controlled by the tri-partite of the Chief Officer who has operational control, the Police Authority which has a governance function and the Home Office which has an advisory function. Sometimes these boundaries get blurred. This agreement is designed to give the police independence from local and indeed national politicians.

They traditionally receive 49% funding from the council (council tax/business rates) and 51% from the Home Office although I think these now fluctaute a bit either way.