Board discusses funding package with Chief Constable
Tuesday, 27 October, 2009
Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board today met with Chief Constable Matt Baggott and his senior officer team to discuss the devolution funding package published by the Prime Minister last week.
Speaking after the meeting, Board Chairman Barry Gilligan said,
"Given the Board's statutory responsibilities, and Member's concerns over the last year around the pressures being placed on the policing budget, today's meeting was an opportunity to discuss the proposals with the Chief Constable.
At a time of substantial pressures on the public purse, it is clear that the investment in negotiations around the devolution package by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister has delivered a package which provides some certainty around issues relating to current and future police funding requirements.
Dealing with legacy issues has placed an unsustainable burden on the police service budget; and the provisions in the package alleviate pressures faced particularly in respect of pensions and hearing loss. Funding available in 2010/11 and additional monies from Treasury to deal with exceptional security pressures relating to policing and justice also provide welcome assurance.
The package in the round is somewhat complex and of course does not just relate to policing, so in moving forward there will need to be further discussions on the detail and the outworking of it.
The Board and the PSNI stand ready for devolution; and look forward to building on the substantial progress made in policing in recent years.
The service delivered to communities remains the top priority of the Board and the Chief Constable. We are agreed that the resources available must be used to best effect, deliver value for money and support the delivery of the best possible policing service to the people of Northern Ireland."
