Legal, audit and finance

Legal

The main purpose of the legal service is to provide comprehensive advice and assistance to the police authority and its members in addition to the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police Force and its officers and staff. There is a range of legal services provided including damages claims, land and property transactions, civil litigation, issues of disclosure, property disputes, medical and discipline appeals and contract/procurement matters.

To find out more about legal services contact:

Nigel Battersby
Solicitor
Salford Civic Centre,
Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 5DA
Tel: 0161 793 3040
Fax: 0161 793 3085
Email: nigel.battersby@gmpa.gov.uk

Linda Guy
Legal Assistant
Salford Civic Centre,
Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 5DA
Tel:0161 793 3019
Fax: 0161 793 3085
Email: linda.guy@gmpa.gov.uk

Finance

The Treasurer is the officer with overall responsibility for the administration of the police authority's financial affairs, as set out in section 112 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. Since the police authority has ultimate responsibility for all funds spent by the force, there is no distinction in law between the financial responsibilities of the police authority and the financial responsibilities of the force. The Treasurer is responsible for making sure that the financial affairs of the force are properly administered, producing a statement of accounts and reporting to members of the authority and the external auditor any unlawful or potentially unlawful expenditure and when it appears that expenditure is likely to exceed resources.

The Treasurer's duties include:

Providing financial advice to the authority
Assisting members in seeking to obtain best value for money
Advising on financial propriety
Preparation of statutory and other accounts
Treasury management
Advising on risk management and insurance
Arranging for the determination, issue and transfer of the precept
Advising on budgetary matters

For further information on the work of the Finance Team contact

Frances Beswick
Principal Group Accountant - Police
Salford Civic Centre,
Chorley Road, Swinton,
M27 5DA
Tel:0161 793 3337
Email: frances.beswick@gmp.police.uk

Audit

The Internal Audit Team provides a wide range of complementary services under one umbrella, which enables the team to draw on a variety of specialist skills to meet customer requirements. The team has an established and growing reputation across the local government sector as experts in the application of risk-based audit methodologies and computer audit services. Audit services have recently expanded in response to the increased emphasis on corporate governance within the public sector, particularly in relation to risk management. The team's range of services includes:

Internal audit - risk analysis of all systems, evaluation of controls, and production of individual reports on the adequacy of the systems of internal controls.
Computer audit - risk-based reviews of the information technology function.
Contract audit - risk-based audit of capital and service contracts.
Forensic services - investigation of all areas of concern including financial irregularities.
Whistle-blowing - the team also acts as the central focus for calls received via the authority's anti-fraud hotline.

For further information on the work of the Internal Audit Team contact:

Nikki Bishop
Audit Manager
Unity House
Chorley Road
Swinton
M27 5AW

Tel 0161 607 6958

This page was last updated on 21 October 2011