Lincolnshire
Police Authority

Decision Making Process

This is intended to be an easy and straightforward public guide to the Police Authority’s decision-making process.

Constitution and Structure

The constitution of the Authority is set out in the Police Act 1996. The Authority comprises 17 members of which 9 are County Councillors and 8 are Independent members. The Authority is a body corporate which has been created by statute.  As a result, although the Authority is an independent body, it may only do those things expressly permitted by law or reasonably incidental to it. 

Whilst the Authority meets quarterly to transact business, much of its work is done formally through 7 Committees (which also meet quarterly) and informally through a series of Panels and Task & Finish Groups.

The Authority is also represented on all 3 Community Safety Partnerships active in the County. Members of the Authority are encouraged by the Chief Constable to establish a working relationship with their local Basic Command Unit Commanders, to ensure that they are well briefed on local policing issues.

Role of the Police Authority

The police service in the United Kingdom is governed nationally through a tripartite structure, consisting of the Home Secretary, police authorities and chief constables.  Under the Police Act 1996 it is the primary responsibility of police authorities “to secure the maintenance of an efficient and effective police force for its area”. However, this does not give the Police Authority responsibility to run the force on a day-to-day basis.  This is the responsibility of the Chief Constable.

How are Police Authority Decisions Made?

The Authority’s decision-making process is designed to be efficient, transparent and accountable to the public.  Decisions are mainly taken in formal meetings and based on evidence and following appropriate debate.  When taking decisions, Members must take heed of community needs, local priorities, budgets and agreed protocols.

Access to Information

Members of the public have a right of access to meetings and associated papers to ensure that Members are held to account and that the decision making process is both open and transparent.

The Local Government Act 1972 sets down the main access to information rules in relation to all meetings of the Authority and its Committees. The Act establishes the following rights of public access:

The right to attend meetings, except where confidential or exempt information is to be disclosed; the right to notice of meetings, provided at least five working days before the meeting; the right to inspect the agenda and connected reports at least five clear working days before the meeting.  In cases of urgency the Authority may follow specified procedures that allow a shorter period for inspection; the right to copies of the agenda and reports at the meeting; the right to inspect the minutes after meetings; the right to inspect the minutes, the agenda and related reports for 6 years from the date of the meeting; the right to inspect background papers.  Background papers are those on which reports have been based.  The right extends for a period of 4 years from the date of the meeting.

Decisions made by the Full Authority

The full Authority meets approximately 5 times a year to debate and take decisions on a wide range of matters that are both within its terms of reference and reserved for it under law, such as approving revenue and capital budgets.

Decisions made by Committee

Some decisions are taken by Committees appointed by the Full Authority. Please click on the following links provided below to access the terms of reference for each Committee:

• Full Police Authority Committee
• Audit, Risk and Governance
• Communities and Partnerships
• Ethical Standards
• Finance and Performance
• Human Resources
• Professional Standards
• Strategic Planning

Task & Finish Groups

The role of Task & Finish Groups is to scrutinise particular areas of the Authority’s or Force’s work, and to develop policies and recommendations on best practice for approval by the relevant Committee or by the full Authority. They have no decision-making powers, except over their own working arrangements. Whilst meetings are not open to the public, reports and recommendations will be open to discussion and debate at meetings of the relevant committee and or the full Authority.

Public Access to Authority Meetings

Members of the public are encouraged to attend meetings of the Authority and its committees to listen to the debate.  Agendas for meetings are published on the Authorities web site in the Publications, Agendas section. and copies are available at the meetings. 

Most of the Authority’s meetings are held at the Lincolnshire Police Headquarters, Deepdale Lane, Nettleham Nr Lincoln  LN2 2LT. Map and Directions (PDF 1.62 MB)

There are occasions when Members will need to consider confidential, or ‘exempt’ information. These issues usually relate to personal information about a particular individual or a contract matter where commercially sensitive information could be disclosed. When this is the case, the confidential items will normally be placed at the end of the agenda and members of the public will be asked to leave at that point. The Authority tries to keep as much business on the public part of the agenda as possible. Where this is not possible, the confidentiality of the information has to be justified by reference to the Access to Information legislation.

How to Contact Us

If you have any questions or would like any further information, please feel free to contact the Police Authority on telephone no 01522 558022, or alternatively you can e-mail us at:  police.authority@lincs.pnn.police.uk

Alternatively visit out Contact Us section