Information

Question

Regarding the funding and purchase of the two neighbourhood beat buses.

Please provide the following information and any supporting documentation:

1. A copy of the proposal and any consultation for the purchase of the buses.
2. The cost of the purchase of the vehicles and fitting out/livery.
3. Any documents as to how the effectiveness of the buses will be evaluated.

Answer

I am writing to advise you that, following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that some of the information you requested is held by the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

It is important to understand that The Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) and Northamptonshire Police are two separate legal entities. Information regarding operational policing matters is the responsibility of Northamptonshire Police, therefore the OPFCC does not hold some of the information you have requested. Northamptonshire Police’s Information Unit may hold some of the information you are seeking. If you have not already done so, then you may wish to write to their Freedom of Information and Data Protection Team, Information Unit, Force Headquarters, Wootton Hall, Northampton, NN4 0JQ / freedomofinformation@northants.pnn.police.uk

1. A copy of the proposal and any consultation for the purchase of the buses.

The Policing Protocol Order 2011 sets out responsibilities of the PFCC which includes having the responsibility for setting the strategic direction and objectives of the force through the Police and Crime Plan (“the Plan”) and deciding the budget, allocating assets and funds to the Chief Constable. It was within this framework that the PFCC ring fenced the sum of £1m in the 2021-22 budget that was allocated to the Chief Constable to support investment which will make a difference in local neighbourhoods to implement a new focus on neighbourhood policing, with dedicated, named teams in communities across the county. The Policing Protocol Order 2011 also implicitly states that the PFCC must not fetter the operational independence of the police force and the Chief Constable who leads it. The Beat Buses are operational assets which the PFCC has funded through the budget he allocated to the Chief Constable, therefore the OPFCC does not hold any information relating to the proposal and any consultation for the purchase of the buses other than the 2020-21 budget which can be found here:

https://westnorthants.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s3230/05NorthamptonshirePoliceFireCrimePanel03Feb2021AgendaPack.pdf

2. The cost of the purchase of the vehicles and fitting out/livery.

The net cost for each bus was £52,620.30 – there are no other commissioning costs related to these vehicles.

3. Any documents as to how the effectiveness of the buses will be evaluated.

No information held (see answer to question 1)

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter and should be addressed to: Nicci Marzec, Monitoring Officer, Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Darby House, Darby Close, Park Farm Industrial Estate, Wellingborough. NN8 6GS. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications. If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.