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Policing and Crime Bill

Amendment 18 18: After Clause 4, insert the following new Clause— "Responsibilities of police authorities (1) Each police authority may determine its own local precept agreement with the relevant local council or councils as appropriate to its individual requirements. (2) Each police authority may determine its own fiscal priorities in accordance with its individual requirements. (3) The Secretary of State may not give unsolicited directions to police authorities on local precepts, minimum budgets or fiscal priorities. (4) Each police authority has a duty to consult with the Secretary of State, and to take account of national policing authorities. (5) The Police Act 1996 (c. 16) is amended as follows. (6) In section 6(2) (general functions of police authorities), omit paragraph (a). (7) In section 6(2)(c) leave out ", whether in compliance with a direction under section 38 or otherwise". (8) In section 6 omit subsection (3). (9) For section 37A (setting of strategic priorities for police authorities) substitute— "37A Policing objectives Each individual police authority must determine objectives for the policing of their own local area." (10) For section 38 (setting of performance targets) substitute— "38 Levels of performance Where an objective has been determined under section 37, the relevant police authority shall establish levels of performance (performance targets to be aimed at in seeking to achieve the objective)." (11) Section 39 (codes of practice) is repealed. (12) Section 41 (directions as to a minimum budget) is repealed. (13) Section 44 (reports from chief constables) is repealed. (14) The Local Government Act 1999 (c. 27) is amended as follows. (15) In section 31(9) (major precepting authorities: further recognition), after "1992" insert ", but excluding police authorities and the Metropolitan Police Authority"."