Best Value

As part of its drive to refocus public services and ensure value for money, the Government introduced a legal duty of Best Value on Police Authorities through the 1999 Local Government Act. The aim was to deliver continuous improvement in all services delivered by the Force, by rigorously reviewing all of them over a five year cycle.

This legislation placed a number of legal obligations on the Police Authority, stipulating how reviews must be conducted and measurable improvements in service achieved. Force progress was assessed by the Audit Commission in Wales and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. The requirements of the Best Value regime were somewhat bureaucratic and this was recognised in the Police and Justice Act 2006.

As a result of this, a number of the requirements placed on the Authority in relation to Best Value ceased, including the requirement to undertake Best Value reviews and to produce annually a Best Value Performance Plan. In spite of this, the general duty to achieve Best Value, by ensuring that Dyfed-Powys Police delivers an economic, effective and efficient police service remains.

The Authority is reviewing its arrangements for discharging this duty through active scrutiny by its various committees. The Finance, Resources and Information Management Committee monitors budgetary issues and oversees the Force’s capital programme as well as retaining oversight of the HR function. The Force’s Audit and Scrutiny and Performance Management Teams report directly to the Authority Performance Management and Scrutiny Committee.

The Deputy Chief Constable holds the Chief Officer portfolio in relation to scrutiny and accountability reports directly to the Performance Management and Scrutiny Committee in relation to force performance. The key to effective monitoring and scrutiny lies in the Authority providing a robust challenge mechanism for senior force officers and that is delivered through the governance structure in place.