'Reassurance for communities' over police finances

Despite police forces across the country facing significant financial challenges, communities in Norfolk can have confidence in the management of police finances after auditors gave the 2015/16 accounts a clean bill of health.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk is responsible for putting in place proper arrangements to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in use of resources, to ensure proper stewardship and governance, and to review regularly the adequacy and effectiveness of these arrangements.

Having completed their scrutiny of the annual accounts, auditors reported their verdict to an independent panel which oversees police audit arrangements. Panel members then confirmed that the accounts of both the PCC and Norfolk Police had been signed off without qualification.

Receiving this news from the panel members, PCC Lorne Green said: "As the new PCC for Norfolk, I took up post on 12 May 2016 and these accounts set out the financial position of the organisation to 31 March 2016, as overseen by my predecessor.

"Based on this report from the auditors, the public can be reassured that there has been proper use of public money, and also value for money. For me, going forward, there are also some important notes on, among other things, the levels of usable reserves and council tax.

"It is important to note that these accounts can only be produced if there is a well-defined governance framework, a robust control environment with tested financial systems, and timely and accurate processes. The production of these accounts would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of staff across the Constabulary and Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. I would like to express my thanks to them all and, in particular commend the Chief Finance Officer and his team."

The Statement of Accounts has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).