Y Pwyllgor Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol ac Adfywio
Social Justice and Regeneration Committe

Bae Caerdydd / Cardiff Bay
Caerdydd / Cardiff
CF99 1NA

Eich cyf / Your ref
Ein cyf / Our ref

Dyddiad / Date February 2006

Dear Colleague

Social Justice and Regeneration Committee

Restructuring of Constabulary – Democratic Structures

Background

As you are aware, the Social Justice and Regeneration Committee completed its review in November 2005. Following that, the Home Secretary has announced that the preferred option is for the 4 existing police forces in Wales to merge into one All Wales Strategic Force. He proposes to introduce legislation to that effect. The Home Office have, however, suggested that the proposed legislation will allow the National Assembly for Wales to impact on the future issues relating to regional and local accountability which would underpin the new force. The Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration has asked the Social Justice and Regeneration Committee to give further detailed consideration to this issue and report to the Assembly on its conclusions on the democratic arrangements for a new Strategic Police Force in Wales. In order to assist in this, the Committee wishes to invite you to contribute to its consideration by providing a written submission setting out your organisation’s views on the issues and options for regional and local accountability which would underpin a new Strategic Police Force in Wales, including any detailed factual information that may be relevant. There is no prescribed format for submissions. In addition to this written evidence, the Committee will approach a number of key organisations to appear before them in oral sessions. Once again, the timescale for this is very short; the Committee has been asked to report by the end of May 2006.

Timetable

I would be grateful if you could forward any submission you may wish to make to me by Friday 31 March 2006. Publication of Responses Unless contributors ask for their submission to remain confidential, the Committee intends that all responses will be available for public scrutiny. For your information, the Committee has invited submissions from those on the attached list. In addition, a copy of this letter has been placed on the National Assembly’s web-site with an open invitation to submit views. Yours sincerely Roger Chaffey Clerk – Social Justice and Regeneration Committee