The Policing Board has a role in negotiating the annual policing budget for the PSNI and for holding the Chief Constable to account for the spending of that budget.
The Chief Constable has delegated authority in relation to the day to day responsibility for the police budget, but he must report to the Board on how the money is spent. The Board has responsibility for making sure that the funds are spent in an effective and efficient manner and in line with the objectives outlined in the Policing Plan.
The PSNI monthly Management Accounts are tabled at meetings of the Board’s Resources and Improvement Committee, and the year-end Annual Accounts are presented to the Committee for its consideration and comment. Police funding is divided into several different categories, the largest category being for expenditure on salaries and running costs (revenue expenditure).
PSNI also receives funding for expenditure on capital items such as land, buildings and vehicles, where benefit will be derived from the expenditure over a number of years.
A large part of the police budget relates to salaries (approximately 70%) and consequently, Board Members concentrate to a large degree on Human Resources elements of the Police Budget. There has also been more interest in financial issues relating to the Police Estate due to the closure and sale of police stations.
The Board has been concerned for some time about the future funding of policing and remains committed to securing the necessary resources to continue to deliver the best possible policing service.
