Dyfed Powys Police Authority held a meeting last week to decide on its position regarding possible restructuring. Following a comprehensive debate on the subject, the authority feels unable to submit a preferred option to the Home Office at present. The authority feels that the reform process has so far been rushed, and there has been insufficient time to hold a comprehensive consultation programme in which sufficient information has been available to respond to the concerns expressed by our communities about the proposals. In addition, a number of fundamental financial issues remain unresolved relating to start up and transitional costs, precept equalisation and an appropriate funding formula to support any new arrangements. Likewise, issues pertinent to governance whereby local authorities consider that they could be adequately represented on any future policing governing bodies are, at present, unclear. The authority hopes that appropriate consideration will be given to these issues by the Government so that the authority will be able to further consider the matter in the New Year.
