Merseyside Police Authority welcomes new members
Merseyside Police Authority has welcomed four new Members,
Councillors Keith Deakin, Frank Prendergast, Geoff Howe and Pat
Williams.
The Joint Appointments Committee met on 4th June and
appointed nine Elected Members to the Authority to represent the
political balance of the Council seats on Merseyside, four of whom
are newly appointed.
Labour Councillor, Keith Deakin has served on St Helens council since 1986 and is a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission. Labour Councillor, Frank Prendergast has served on Liverpool Council since May 1990 and is Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee. Liberal Democrat Councillor, Geoff Howe has served on Sefton council since May 2000 and is Chair of Sefton East Parishes Area Committee. Liberal Democrat Councillor Mrs Pat Williams has served on Wirral council since 1987 and is a member of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Councillors Deakin, Prendergast and Howe all have previous experience as members of Merseyside Police Authority.
The Chairman of the Authority, Bill Weightman said:
'I look forward to welcoming and working with the newly appointed Councillors to the Police Authority and I am sure that their expertise will be useful in the challenging times ahead.'
Notes to Editors
- For further information please contact MPA Communications Officer, Tracy Leeson on 0151 285 5510.
- Merseyside Police Authority (MPA) is an independent organisation. It is responsible for working closely with Merseyside Police to maintain an efficient and effective police service for Merseyside.
- Local police authorities, along with the Home Secretary and chief officers of police, make up the tripartite relationship which is responsible for the governance of policing in England and Wales.
- Police authorities are made up of local people: a mix of local councillors and independent members (selected from the community) represent the views of local communities.
- The job of Police Authorities is to:
- Ø appoint (and, if necessary, dismiss) chief constables and senior police officers
- Ø consult with local communities to find out what they want the local police to do
- Ø set the budget for their police force, and decide how much local people should pay for policing in the local council tax
- Ø set the strategic direction for policing locally and decide what the police should focus attention on locally based on their consultations with local communities
- Ø make sure the police force is continuing to do a better job
