SUFFOLK police watchdogs are today on track to continue to be paid almost £7,000 each year after a review of their payments was published.Members of the Suffolk Police Authority (SPA) are currently paid £6,996 a year for 25 hours of work each month with the chair, vice-chair and other positions attracting higher allowances.

SUFFOLK police watchdogs are today on track to continue to be paid almost £7,000 each year after a review of their payments was published.

Members of the Suffolk Police Authority (SPA) are currently paid £6,996 a year for 25 hours of work each month with the chair, vice-chair and other positions attracting higher allowances.

In July an independent review of these payments was ordered.

The subsequent report suggested the payments should remain the same and also rejected a proposal that the basic level of payment should be set at a lower rate, with additional payment based on actual work completed.

The report, written by two independent members of the SPA's standards committee, will go before the SPA during a meeting on Friday.

The report said: “We are of the view that the current level of basic allowance adequately reflects the time commitment expected to fulfil the role and responsibilities of members as set out in the scheme (of members' allowances and expenses).

“Whilst we recommend that the level of basic allowance remains unchanged, we consider that it is important that members are aware of their roles and responsibilities as police authority members for which that allowance is paid.”

The report noted that members of the SPA are paid slightly less than their counterparts in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

It also recommended an increase in the allowance paid to the vice-chair of the authority and the lead member role for finance and strategic planning.

Are you happy with the payments made to members of the Suffolk Police Authority? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Suffolk Police Authority (SPA)

The Suffolk Police Authority is the body tasked with ensuring Suffolk has an effective and efficient police force.

It is made up of nine county councilors, three magistrates, and five independent members chosen from communities in Suffolk.

The SPA sets the strategic direction for policing in Suffolk and has a number of statutory responsibilities including consulting with communities about the policing of their area, setting the force's budget, appointing senior officers in the force and monitoring complaints from the public.

All SPA meetings are open to the public with the majority held at Suffolk police's headquarters in Martlesham Heath

SOURCE: Suffolk police