Room for improvement

The body which supervises the police in Greater Manchester has been told to sharpen up its vision, planning and performance management.

The Greater Manchester Police Authority should also show that its 50 staff provide value for money.

The comments follow an inspection by the Audit Commission, the Government’s financial watchdog, and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Their report, published today, says on a scale from one to four, the authority’s performance is “two”, which represents adequate performance and is improving.

Inspectors found that the authority has developed excellent relationships with other public services such as councils and the health service, as well as with the force’s new chief officer team.

It is supporting the force through changes to boost frontline resources and performance. However, the members must forge a more strategic role, improve its scrutiny and performance management and ensure value for money in how its own and the force’s resources are used, inspectors say. The authority has 19 members — 10 local councillors, including Oldham councillor Keith Pendlebury — and nine independent members.

Its job is to see there is efficient and effective policing as well as holding Chief Constable Peter Fahy to account.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Roger Baker said: “The authority understands the change needed to improve policing, and has done much to help put the foundations in place.

“It has recruited a new chief police officer team and, through its strong partnerships, has secured increased funding for the force.

“Improved scrutiny and performance management will give members the information and knowledge needed to hold the Chief Constable to account on key issues, like dealing with volume crime and improving Neighbourhood Policing.”

But the joint inspectorates said they are pleased to see the authority is already making tangible improvements, rather than waiting for the report’s publication.