46.Sections 28-31 require the Policing Board to make arrangements to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the discharging of its functions and those of the Chief Constable.  As part of the arrangements the Board is required to review these functions and to publish a performance plan showing how the Board’s arrangements are to be implemented (section 28(4)).  The Board is obliged to involve the Chief Constable when it makes arrangements in respect of his functions (section 28(3)).  Section 29 provides for the Board’s performance plan to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and section 30 enables the Comptroller and Auditor General to carry out inspections to examine the Board’s compliance with its obligation to improve its functions.  The Comptroller and Auditor General can recommend amendments to a performance plan (section 29(4)(c) and (d)) or recommend that the Secretary of State take action if the Board is failing in its duty (sections 29(4)(e) and 30(6)(b)).
47.Under section 31, if, on receipt of an adverse report by the Comptroller and Auditor General or Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the Board is failing to comply with its duties under section 28, he can direct it to take any remedial action he considers necessary or require it to amend its performance plan.
48.The provisions of Part V are, in part, analogous to Best Value arrangements which apply to police authorities and forces in England and Wales under the Local Government Act 1999.
Commentary Part V: Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness Sections 28-31: Arrangements Relating to Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness