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Board's scrutiny of force 'weak' Board's scrutiny of force 'weak'
(about 7 hours later)
Members of a joint police board have been criticised for not having a clear understanding of their role.Members of a joint police board have been criticised for not having a clear understanding of their role.
An audit of Tayside Joint Police Board found it was not able to hold the chief constable of the force to account because of this.An audit of Tayside Joint Police Board found it was not able to hold the chief constable of the force to account because of this.
But the Accounts Commission review also said the joint board was making "good progress in important areas". But the Accounts Commission review also said the police force was making "good progress in important areas".
The board is made up of 18 councillors from the three local authority areas the force covers.The board is made up of 18 councillors from the three local authority areas the force covers.
In a joint report with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, the Accounts Commission said it suspected the problem was not confined to Tayside.In a joint report with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, the Accounts Commission said it suspected the problem was not confined to Tayside.
'Matter of urgency''Matter of urgency'
It said the duties and responsibilities of police boards across Scotland may have to be spelt out more clearly.It said the duties and responsibilities of police boards across Scotland may have to be spelt out more clearly.
The report said the Tayside board was "strongly committed" to supporting the police but the board was not achieving continuous improvement in its duties, which include setting priorities for the police service and holding the chief constable to account.The report said the Tayside board was "strongly committed" to supporting the police but the board was not achieving continuous improvement in its duties, which include setting priorities for the police service and holding the chief constable to account.
Councillors appointed to the board by the three councils covering the area - Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Angus - need more help in improving their knowledge and understanding of their role, said the commission.Councillors appointed to the board by the three councils covering the area - Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Angus - need more help in improving their knowledge and understanding of their role, said the commission.
"Accordingly, as a matter of urgency the joint board needs to discuss this position with the constituent councils and secure resources which are independent of the councils and the police force to support its role," its report said."Accordingly, as a matter of urgency the joint board needs to discuss this position with the constituent councils and secure resources which are independent of the councils and the police force to support its role," its report said.
'Ambiguous''Ambiguous'
Part of the reason for the board not fully exercising its role stems from a "lack of clarity" about the responsibilities and expectations of both the joint board and the chief constable.Part of the reason for the board not fully exercising its role stems from a "lack of clarity" about the responsibilities and expectations of both the joint board and the chief constable.
The board had good working relations with the police force but its scrutiny of the force's performance was "weak" and board members did little to challenge existing ways of doing things.The board had good working relations with the police force but its scrutiny of the force's performance was "weak" and board members did little to challenge existing ways of doing things.
Links between the board and local authorities were "ambiguous", with the three councils holding different views on providing support for the board.Links between the board and local authorities were "ambiguous", with the three councils holding different views on providing support for the board.
The commission added it would recommend that the Scottish government should consider existing guidance and its interpretation "to ensure the specific duties and responsibilities of boards and board members are expressed clearly".The commission added it would recommend that the Scottish government should consider existing guidance and its interpretation "to ensure the specific duties and responsibilities of boards and board members are expressed clearly".