Sussex PEEL 2014
Efficiency
How well the force delivers value for money
To what extent is the force efficient?
To what extent is the force taking steps to ensure a secure financial position for the short and long term?
Sussex Police is financially well-managed and has a very good track record of achieving savings. In spite of a difficult financial challenge, it has achieved more savings than it needed to over the spending review period.
Finances are well managed and the force has a cautious approach to budgeting.
The force has built up healthy reserves that provide some security and the ability to invest in projects that will improve policing and lead to greater efficiencies in the future.
The alliance with Surrey Police is ambitious and has already contributed significantly to savings; it offers potential for much greater future savings as well as improving services.
To what extent has the force got an affordable way of providing policing?
Sussex Police recognises that working in collaboration with a range of partners is crucial to enabling it to work more efficiently to achieve the scale of savings needed in the future.
The force is working constructively with Surrey Police to develop a way of providing policing that allows the two forces to gain maximum benefits from the alliance. It is also looking beyond the alliance for further opportunities to collaborate.
The force has made a concerted effort to concentrate savings in non-pay areas so that it has been able to limit the reduction to its workforce numbers.
The change programme is well led and robustly managed.