Author and Job Role: Alison Bolton, Chief Executive
Protective Marking: OFFICIAL
Executive Summary:
To agree a revised Section 22A agreement relating to the collaborative arrangements between Surrey and Sussex Police. This agreement, in place since 2014 between the Chief Constables of Surrey and Sussex Police and the Police & Crime Commissioners for Surrey and Sussex, provides the legal framework for both forces to deliver a range of shared operational and enabling services.
The Section 22A agreement does not introduce any new collaborated services. Rather, it has been updated to better reflect arrangements for the current collaborated services – for instance updating of role titles, functions, portfolios and internal governance arrangements. Given current government plans around police reform and changes to police governance post-2028, it also recognises that there will be a statutory successor to PCCs (potentially different in Surrey from Sussex). Arrangements for the termination of the agreement have been clarified and there is a more structured process for disputes, should this be required.
Background
Surrey and Sussex Police operate a number of services collaboratively, both operational and enabling (i.e. ‘back office’). Since 2014, a collaboration agreement, made under Section 22A of the Police Act 1996 has been in place, which provides the legal framework for Surrey Police and Sussex Police to deliver these services collaboratively under a lead force model. This S22A agreement establishes the statutory basis for collaboration, the core principles of governance, finance and accountability, and the ability for the parties to establish, vary and manage joint services over time through schedules, business cases and supporting agreements.
Those services which are delivered collaboratively and are covered by the S22A agreement are as follows:
- Operations Command:
A jointly delivered operational command led by Sussex Police, covering defined frontline policing functions including roads policing, firearms, public order, dogs, duties, vehicle recovery, public order training and serious and forensic collision investigation units.
- Specialist Crime Command
A joint command for specialist investigative activity, including major crime, serious and organised crime, economic crime, intelligence and tasking, surveillance and related specialist functions.
- People Services
A Surrey‑led shared people function providing joint HR, learning and development, shared business services, occupational health and people‑related management information.
- Joint Force Vetting Unit
A Sussex‑led joint unit responsible for recruitment vetting, re‑vetting and specialist vetting services.
- Commercial and Finance Services
Jointly led commercial and finance functions, including procurement, finance service delivery, financial accounting, finance operations and insurance services.
- Digital, Data and Technology
A Surrey‑led joint digital and IT function providing technology operations, applications, infrastructure, information security and digital governance.
- Joint Change Delivery
Jointly led function responsible for integration and planning, business change, programme and project delivery, governance of change activity, benefits and risk monitoring.
- Joint Transport Service
Sussex-led function for the provision of vehicle workshop services, fleet management, vehicle procurement, logistical vehicle services and vehicle telemetry.
- Chief Operating Officer-led services
Alongside the Joint Services listed, the agreement brings within scope a set of COO‑led corporate services which support and enable collaboration but do not operate as standalone Joint Services. These include Estates and Facilities, together with corporate oversight of health and safety and information management. Governance of these functions is addressed through the core provisions of the agreement relating to assets, premises, finance and governance, rather than through separate Joint Service Schedules.
Strategic oversight of the collaboration arrangements sits with the PCC Collaboration Governance Board, which can be convened by either PCC or Chief Constable as required. This board is supported by joint officer‑level governance arrangements and service‑specific governance structures set out in the Schedules and supporting documents to the S22A.
The agreement also establishes a shared financial framework for Joint Services, with costs and income apportioned between Surrey and Sussex in accordance with the Net Cost of Services ratio (Surrey 45.44%/Sussex 54.56%) and applied through the Surrey Sussex Finance Protocol. The agreement addresses assets, premises, information and staffing at framework level. Arrangements for the termination, withdrawal or exit from collaboration arrangements are set out in the S22A.
A meeting of the PCC Collaboration Governance Board was convened on 20th August 2026 where representatives from Surrey/Sussex Police and both PCCs agreed to sign-off the amendments. It was also agreed to put in place a future meeting of the PCC Collaboration Governance Board to ensure that the PCCs are able to discharge their responsibilities for ensuring the services delivered collaboratively remain efficient and effective.
Recommendation
That the PCC agrees to sign the amended Section 22A Agreement for Surrey and Sussex Collaboration.
Police and Crime Commissioner Approval
I approve the recommendation(s):
Signature: PCC Lisa Townsend (wet signed copy held in Office)
Date: 15th September 2026
All decisions must be added to the decision register.
Areas of consideration
Consultation
The amendments to the Section 22A have been coordinated by the Chief Operating Officer for Surrey and Sussex Police, in consultation with relevant operational/enabling leads.
Financial implications
There are no changes to current financial arrangements.
Legal
The PCC has separately reviewed the document and taken her own legal advice and is assured that it provides a sound and flexible legal framework for collaboration.
Risks
Risk arises primarily from how the agreement is operated over time, particularly the quality and control of:
- supporting business cases and schedules;
- financial and asset decisions taken at service level; and
- documentation alignment with schemes of delegation.
Equality and diversity
No arising implications.
Risks to human rights
No arising implications.