Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000

29 Audit of performance plans.N.I.

(1)A performance plan [F1and a performance summary] shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General [F2for Northern Ireland].

(2)An audit of a performance plan [F3or a performance summary ] is an examination for the purpose of establishing whether the plan [F3or summary] was prepared and published in accordance with the requirements of section 28.

[F4(3) Article 3 of the Audit and Accountability (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (right of Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland to obtain documents and information) applies in relation to an examination under this section as it applies in relation to an examination under Article 8 or 9 of the Audit (Northern Ireland) Order 1987.]

(4)In relation to a performance plan, the Comptroller and Auditor General [F5for Northern Ireland] shall issue a report—

(a)certifying that he has audited the plan;

(b)stating whether he believes that it was prepared and published in accordance with the requirements of section 28;

(c)stating whether he believes that the performance indicators and performance standards are reasonable and, if appropriate, recommending changes to those performance indicators or performance standards;

(d)if appropriate, recommending how it should be amended so as to accord with the requirements of section 28;

(e)recommending whether the [F6Department of Justice] should give a direction under section 31(2)(a) or (b).

[F7(4A)In relation to a performance summary, the Comptroller and Auditor General [F8for Northern Ireland] shall issue a report—

(a)certifying that he has audited the summary;

(b)stating whether he believes that it was prepared and published in accordance with the requirements of section 28;

(c)if appropriate, recommending how it should be amended so as to accord with the requirements of section 28;

(d)recommending whether the [F9Department of Justice] should give a direction under section 31(2)(a).]

(5)The Comptroller and Auditor General [F10for Northern Ireland] shall send a copy of every report under this section to—

(a)the Board;

(b)the Chief Constable; and

(c)the [F11Department of Justice].

(6)The Comptroller and Auditor General [F12for Northern Ireland] shall publish any report under this section on the audit of a performance plan [F13or a performance summary].

(7)Subsections (8) to (11) apply if the Board receives a report which contains a recommendation made under paragraph (c), (d) or (e) of subsection (4) [F14or paragraph (c) or (d) of subsection (4A)].

(8)Within the period of one month beginning on the day on which it receives the report, the Board shall prepare a statement.

(9)The Board shall consult the Chief Constable about the report and the statement it is required to prepare under subsection (8).

(10)The Board shall, without delay, submit the statement it has prepared to the [F15Department of Justice] and the Comptroller and Auditor General [F16for Northern Ireland].

(11)The statement shall—

(a)specify the action, if any, which the Board, or the Chief Constable, intend to take as a result of the report;

(b)contain a summary of the result of the consultation required by subsection (9).