Finance

Norfolk Police Authority has a statutory requirement to approve and monitor the annual police budget and to set the policing element of the Council Tax. In doing this, the Authority aims to provide the Chief Constable with the necessary financial and manpower resources for him to be able to deliver an effective and efficient policing service across Norfolk.

The Authority has a Treasurer, supported by a Finance Team, who provides policy and financial advice to Members and recommends a budget strategy to the Authority. The decisions on the budget and Council Tax levels have to be approved by at least ten members, including six of the councillor members. Members of the public are consulted by the Authority ahead of those decisions being made in February each year.

For general information about Police Authority funding, the following links may assist:

Home Office - The Home Office is the lead Government department for crime and policing.

Audit Commission - The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog driving efficiency and effectiveness in local public services.

CIPFA - The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is the professional body for people in public finance.

Please click on a category heading to see a list of all articles relating to that category.

Council Tax Leaflet »

Every year the Authority produces a council tax leaflet to provide council tax payers with clear information about where their money is going to be spent, as well as explaining why there is any increase or decrease in the council tax.

1. Council Tax Leaflet 2012-13.pdf (PDF) 638kb
   
2. Police pages - Council Tax leaflet 11.12.pdf (PDF) 833kb
   

Budget Book »

This is in essence a plan that states the intentions of the Authority, in financial terms, for the next and subsequent financial years.

It provides a detailed summary of the income that the Authority expects to receive during the year both from central government, local tax payers and from other sources, together with a breakdown of the estimated expenditure.

The budget book also reflects a longer term view of the organisation's finances including a three year revenue forecast and a three year capital programme.

1. Budget Book 2012-2013.pdf (PDF) 1613kb
   

                                       

    

2. Budget Book 2011.12.pdf (PDF) 747kb
   

Statement of Accounts »

This is a statutory document produced annually, which provides information about the Police Authority's financial performance and financial position. It provides the following information about the previous financial year:

• An explanatory foreword
• A statement of accounting policies
• A statement of responsibilities for the statement of accounts
• A statement of internal control
• A consolidated revenue account
• A consolidated balance sheet
• A statement of total movement in reserves
• A cash flow statement
• Notes to the accounts

All Local Authorities and Police Authorities are required to follow the same standard format when producing their statutory accounts. This should enable members of the public you compare and contrast the Authority's financial performance over a number of years as well as with other Local Authorities and Police Authorities.

1. Statement of Accounts 2010-2011

   The Statement of Accounts were approved at the Full Authority meeting on 22nd September 2011, and are now published following the completion of a formal audit.

2. Sofac 09-10.pdf (PDF) 490kb
   

   The Statement of Accounts were approved at the Full Authority meeting on 22nd June 2010, and are now published following the completion of a formal audit.

Summary of Accounts »

The Annual Statement of Accounts is, by necessity, a very lengthy and technical document. However, each year we produce a much shorter summary set of account which aims to show main financial statements in a clearer, more user friendly manner.

1. Summary Accounts 2010-2011

   This summary is intended to give an overview of the Authority’s spending and financial position for the financial year 2010-11.  The aim is to show the information in a non-technical format.  The format used is different to that used for the statutory accounts which have to be prepared in accordance with national accounting rules, although the figures are consistent in both statements.

2. Summary Accounts 2009-2010

   This summary is intended to give an overview of the Authority’s spending and financial position for the financial year 2009-10.  The aim is to show the information in a non-technical format.  The format used is different to that used for the statutory accounts which have to be prepared in accordance with national accounting rules, although the figures are consistent in both statements.

Pay and Benefits Summary »

The Norfolk Police Authority (NPA) and Norfolk Constabulary (NC) are committed to ensuring that public finances are used wisely through the ongoing review of people and processes to minimise duplication and maximise productivity. Both the NPA and NC are also committed to ensuring that as employers they are able to attract and retain a high calibre workforce in order to best serve the people of Norfolk.

This document provides an outline of the principle pay scales and associated entitlements to allowances and benefits.  It can only be a summary of what is a complex mixture of nationally agreed pay scales and benefits and/or the exercise of local discretion.

An updated document has been produced and this, as well as the previous version, is available below.

1. Police Authority Pay and Benefits Summary Sept 2011.pdf (PDF) 949kb
   

   Updated and revised as of 30 September 2011.

2. NPA Pay and Benefits Summary - Revised 31.12.2010.pdf (PDF) 704kb
   

    Updated and revised as of 31 December 2010. 

3. NPA Pay and Benefits Summary April 2010.pdf (PDF) 3680kb
   

Members Allowances and Expenses »

At the end of each Financial Year, Norfolk Police Authority publishes summary which outlines the total amount of Allowances and Expenses received by all Police Authority Members.

1. Total Members Allowances 2011.2012.pdf (PDF) 236kb
   
2. Total Members Allowances 2010.2011.pdf (PDF) 67kb
   

Chief Executive's Expenses »

At the end of each Financial Year, commencing FY 2009/10, the Authority will publish a summary outlining the total expenses incurred by the Chief Executive to the Police Authority, in the course of his duties.

1. Chief Executives Expenses 2011.2012.pdf (PDF) 93kb
   
2. Chief Executives Expenses 2010.2011.pdf (PDF) 22kb
   

Annual Audit Letter »

Norfolk Police Authority is audited by an external auditor appointed by the Audit Commission. The Auditors have a responsibility to review and comment upon the financial activities of the Authority and to provide an opinion on whether the financial statements present a fair view of the financial position, and whether they have been prepared in accordance with the appropriate regulations and proper professional practices.

The Auditors write annually to the members of the Police Authority to present their findings and conclusions from their audit and to provide any recommendation for future action.

1. 2010-2011 - Annual Audit Letter - Norfolk Police Authority v1.0.pdf (PDF) 366kb
   

   This report summarises the key findings from the Auditors' 2010/11 audit.

2. 2009-2010 - Annual Audit Letter - Norfolk Police Authority v2.pdf (PDF) 278kb
   

   This report summarises the key findings from the Auditors' 2009/10 audit.

Financial Regulations »

Financial regulations are formal rules written by the Authority to establish overarching financial responsibilities; to confer duties, rights and powers upon the Authority, the Force and its officers, and to provide clarity about the financial accountabilities of groups or individuals. They apply to every member and officer of the service and anyone acting on its behalf.

The document covers the following areas:

• Financial management framework
• Financial planning and control
• Management of risks and resources
• Systems and procedures
• External arrangements
• Delegated financial limits

1. Financial Regs Final Sept 2011.pdf (PDF) 398kb
   
2. Financial Regs - Final - May 2010.pdf (PDF) 521kb
   

Contract Standing Orders »

The Police Authority has direct responsibility for contracts, and all contract placed must be in the Authority's name.

Provided that the Authority, advised by the Treasurer and Chief Executive, can be satisfied that its legal responsibilities can be fulfilled, and is confident in the Chief Officer's ability to take on the financial responsibilities involved, responsibility for the daily administration of contracts should be delegated to the Chief Officer.

The Standing Orders relating to contracts cover procedures for tenders and contracts.

1. Contract Standing Orders - Revised Mar 10.pdf (PDF) 153kb