21.This section replaces section 5 of the 1998 Act with minor amendments which remove some of the Secretary of State’s detailed controls. It sets out the Policing Board’s duties on the provision and maintenance of buildings and equipment for police purposes.
22.The Policing Board will be the legal owner of all police buildings and equipment.  However, subsection (3) requires that the Policing Board’s powers to provide and maintain buildings and equipment are to be exercised by the Chief Constable.  He will be responsible for management of these matters.  The Board’s power to own buildings and equipment for its own purposes are provided for by paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 1 to the Act.
Commentary Part Ii: the Northern Ireland Policing Board Section 6: Provision and Maintenance of Buildings and Equipment