§ 28. Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account he takes when allocating police funding of additional costs incurred following closures of magistrates courts. [53537]
§ Mr. MichaelPolice funding is allocated by means of a needs-based formula which does not take into account the location or closure of magistrates' courts. To date, the police service has not sought to include such considerations as relevant factors in the funding formula. From time to time many police forces face additional costs which cannot be reflected in the formula. The Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994 placed on the Chief Constable the responsibility to determine the allocation of resources to meet the force's obligations, including any necessary adjustments to deployment as a result of changes in requirements for the attendance of officers at Court.
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