Subject:                                FW: Police and Fire Network update

 

 

 

From: Alison Dewhirst [mailto:cipfa@email.cipfa.org.uk]
Sent: 20 March 2020 17:00
To: Dewhirst, Alison
Subject: Police and Fire Network update

 

Police and Fire Network
E-alert:

 

Recent announcements

 

Coronavirus Bill


The Coronavirus Bill was published yesterday, giving emergency tools and powers to government, devolved governments, services and agencies such as schools, hospitals, police forces etc. The Bill covers a whole raft of emergency provisions including registration of health workers and social workers, health service indemnities, registrations of deaths, amendments to the Mental Health Act, investigatory powers, food supply, schools and childcare providers, the criminal justice system and the postponement of local elections (including PCC elections). I will be producing a briefing on the Bill which will be on the Police and Fire Network webpage.

Changes to 2019/20 Statutory Audit Date (England)

 

On 16 March it was confirmed by Secretary of State Robert Jenrick that, in response to the challenges caused by Covid-19, a number of measures will be put in place to ease the strain on local authorities.

 

This includes deferring the audit date for the 2019/20 local authority accounts from 31 July to 30 September, which would also apply to police and fire bodies in England. The are also considering legislation to remove the requirement for annual council meetings to take place in person and allowing council committee meetings to be held virtually for a temporary period.

 

CIPFA is highlighting the need for some flexibility in respect of the 31 May draft accounts and AGS deadlines and we will endeavour to keep you informed if there are any further changes or updates that would be of interest and assistance.

 

Procurement Policy Note PPN – 1/20

 

The Cabinet Office have issued a Procurement Policy Note PPN – 1/20 in response to the Covid-19 crisis. It states that in these exceptional circumstances, authorities may need to procure goods, services and works with extreme urgency. Authorities are permitted to do this using regulation 32(2)(c) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015. The options include:

 

  • direct award due to extreme urgency
  • direct award due to absence of competition or protection of exclusive rights
  • call off from an existing framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
  • call for competition using a standard procedure with accelerated timescales
  • extending or modifying a contract during its term.

 

 

The PPN states that contracting authorities may enter into contracts without competing or advertising the requirement provided they can meet certain conditions. Please refer to the PPN for more details or contact mohamed.hans@cipfa.org.

 

CIPFA and Network News



CIPFA has released a statement on its website confirming how it is protecting the health and safety of students, members, customers and staff in these unprecedented times. As things currently stand, all previously scheduled training events, conferences and panel meetings from 23 March to 31 May 2020 are affected. Most are being delivered digitally and some will be rescheduled for later in the year.

 

All customers booked on to our courses and events are being updated with further information once revised arrangements are in place.

 

I would like to wish all subscribers good health in these challenging times ahead.

 

Police and Fire Advisor

Alison Dewhirst

01904 675587
07769 673927
Alison.Dewhirst@cipfa.org

CIPFA | The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy

 

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