Full Council Backs Motion Against Police Merger

I was delighted that the motion I proposed at a meeting of the Full Council last night in opposition to the plans to merge Beds Police with the larger Herts force received unanimous support from all sides of the Chamber. Councillors have spoken with one voice prior to key meetings at the two respective Police Authorities tomorrow, at which the Authorities will vote on whether to proceed with the plans and put them out to consultation.

The text of my motion, which was passed with an amendment adding text on general policing arrangements and governance, was as follows:

This Council recognises the financial difficulties faced by all public sector bodies. It believes that innovative and collaborative ways of working will need to be implemented in order to protect front line services.

This Council does not believe that a merger of the Bedfordshire Police Force with any of its neighbouring forces is the most effective way of improving local policing.

This Council is concerned that, with difficult decisions to be taken about local policing, a merger of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Forces would see those decisions taken more remotely.

This Council notes the efforts by Chief Constables around the country to engage in collaborative talks with other public sector bodies covering the same area and urges the Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police Force and the Chair of the Police Authority to pursue the same course of action.

In light of the fact that Police Authorities are due to be replaced under new governance arrangements in the near future this Council does not believe that the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Police Authorities should take a decision so fundamental to the future of local policing as a full merger of forces.

This Council therefore resolves to urge the Executive to:

• Write to the MPs for Bedford and Kempston, North East Bedfordshire and Mid-Bedfordshire to urge them to support the retention of a Police Force for Bedfordshire.

• Write to the Home Secretary expressing the Council's concerns as outlined above.

• Work with other public sector bodies including the Police to find cross service solutions that help to save money and protect front line services.

• Encourage Bedford Borough Police Authority representatives to pursue the Council's position on the proposed merger on the Police Authority.