There is a strong link between local government and policing in Wales. Local Councillors comprise a majority of the membership on Police Authorities, alongside magistrates and independent members. There are four Police Authorities in Wales: Dyfed-Powys, Gwent, North Wales and South Wales. The four Police Authorities in Wales are associate members of the WLGA and each is represented by a Member on the WLGA’s Council, and by a joint representative on the WLGA’s Co-ordinating Committee.
Police Authorities of Wales (PAW) is the representative body of the four police authorities. The main aims of PAW are to:
- Consider and act upon issues affecting policing in Wales, particularly those under the control of the National Assembly for Wales
- Seek to influence the policing agenda at a national level on behalf of Police Authorities and local communities in Wales
- Support Police Authorities in securing efficient and effective policing services across Wales
- Promote awareness of policing needs and the role and achievements of Police Authorities
- Uphold and champion the principles of local accountability and policing by consent
PAW and the WLGA share a joint Community Safety Policy Officer.
Police Authorities are also statutory members of Community Safety Partnerships, which arose out of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The Act made it a statutory duty for each local authority area to have a Community Safety Partnership in place made up of representatives from the local authority, the police force, the police authority, the fire authority and the local health board. Previously, the Partnerships produced a 3-yearly Community Safety Strategy for the local authority area, and also a Substance Misuse Action Plan. Provisions in the Police and Justice Act 2006, however, removed the requirement for 3-yearly Community Safety Strategies. Instead, Partnerships will be required to produce 3-year Partnership Plans, revised annually and based upon an annual strategic assessment.
WLGA Views and Activities
The WLGA represents the interests of local government in respect of policing, as well as the interests of the Police Authorities in Wales and its other associate members. In addition to recognising the significant link that exists between Police and Local Government services, the WLGA believes that it is well placed to provide an ‘umbrella’ under which Local Authorities and Police Authorities both individually and under their association of the Police Authorities of Wales (PAW) can work together in furtherance of their individual and shared objectives and to maximise the benefits to each organisation and their member authorities.
For more information contact: Rachel Morgan