AN ELECTED Police and Crime Commissioner will replace the existing Dorset Police Authority in November.

The fundamental change in policing was highly criticised at a full police authority meeting because of fears over the cost of the new role.

The changes have come as part of the government’s Police Ref-orm and Social Responsibility Act.

It comes after they were told that the ‘transition’ costs set aside were £160,000 on top of the commissioner’s salary of between £65,000 to £100,000.

Authority member and county councillor Janet Dover said: “It does concern me that we have all the facilities here already so what is this £160,000 going to be used for?

“I was on the police authority years ago when a lot of changes took place and I remember being concerned back then that an awful lot of money was wasted.

“There is an extraordinary cost for something that a lot of people have very mixed views on.”

The treasurer told the authority that the money is expected to be used on legal costs, websites and communication costs but stressed that spending will be kept to an ‘absolute minimum’.

In response, authority member Lindsay Wilson added: “I think the public should be aware the government is spending £100million for the elections alone.

“It will be interesting to find out the true cost to the public.

“Why is this £100million not being put into policing?”

Chief Constable Martin Baker said he will be keeping a close eye on the cost in the run-up to the election on November 15.

He told the Echo: “The policing minister has said that the cost of the commissioner and their support services should cost no more than the current police authority arrangements.

“My hope is that they understand that anything more spent will mean that the force has to make more cuts.”

On top of the pay expense and transition costs there will also be a requirement for two more financial audits – which this year was £79,335 alone.

Under the new regime, three sets of accounts will have to be provided: one for the Chief Constable, one for the commissioner (PCC) and a third group set of accounts which is a combination of the two – which will all be subject to auditing.

The current Dorset Police Authority costs £722,000 a year – which includes support, treasury management and democratic representation.

New chief’s wide-ranging powers

HOW the new police and crime commissioner (PCC) will work: The PCC will be elected on November 15 for a period of four years. He or she will be responsible for setting the annual policing budget and what proportion of local council tax will be spent on policing.

It will also be the role of the commissioner to represent the community’s views on crime, set local policing priorities and hold the chief constable accountable.

They will have the power to hire and fire chief constables.

The commissioner and its department will be scrutinised by Police and Crime Panels – which will be formed by a minimum of 10 representatives from the local authorities.

The overriding objective of the commissioner will be to cut crime and make policing accountable.