Scotland’s single police force faces major “challenges” delivering budget savings because of ministers’ insistence that officer numbers are maintained, according to a bombshell new report.
The Audit Scotland document, published today, also reveals £132,000 of taxpayers’ money has been spent on renting a headquarters for the force’s watchdog, the Scottish Police Authority, despite nobody working in it.
Bremner House in Stirling has lain empty for a year despite it being home to the Scottish Police Authority. The Scottish Government agreed to rent the building in November last year but the building was unsuitable for IT.
“No staff have been transferred to Bremner House despite it being available from November 2012. As at September 2013, it remains unoccupied with annual rental charges costing £132,000,” the report says.
A spokesman for the SPA said: “Agreeing the size and structure of the Scottish Police Authority is a priority for us and moving staff on an interim basis to any location would have created significant disruption and added expense … Bremner House has been used by SPA for business meetings over the past few months and we will look to do so again where appropriate.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman added: “The Scottish Government carried out preparatory work ahead of the appointment of the SPA Chair and Board. This included providing accommodation at Bremner House, near police service headquarters, as an interim location.”
The report says a personality clash between Chief Constable Sir Stephen House and SPA chief executive Vic Emery “hampered” the merger process.
It lays bare £1.1 billion savings needed by 2026, but states further cutbacks would be challenging because of a “lack of flexibility” caused by the Scottish Government’s pledge to keep officer numbers at 17,234.
Concerns are also raised about the accuracy of financial information and lack of a full business case for the single force. And it describes crime figures as being “more selective”.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the findings did not take into account the “considerable work” done since the report was compiled.
SPA chairman Vic Emery said: “We are confident that we will deliver all the savings required of us in this first year, and to do so with policing continuing to perform effectively for the people of Scotland.”
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson said: “The process of change, however, is only just beginning and while much has already been achieved there is much more to be done.”