THE powers of new directly elected police chiefs will be curbed after protests by peers, but the rethink was immediately condemned as inadequate in the North-East.

The commissioners, to be elected in May next year, will need the backing of more local councillors in order to appoint their chief constable, set the budget and push through their policing plan.

The Home Office said the move showed that ministers had listened to criticism that more checks and balances were needed before the US-style crime-fighters were introduced.

However, Cleveland Police Authority chairman Peter Race immediately raised the alarm over other surprise amendments to the Police Reform Bill, which would: 􀁥 Allow the commissioner to appoint an ally as deputy, who would escape scrutiny by councillors on new police and crime panels; 􀁥 Allow them to stand for election indefinitely, instead of being limited to only two terms of four years; 􀁥 Allow members of the House of Lords to run for the post, although they would have to quit the upper chamber temporarily; 􀁥 And allow some panels to have more than 20 members – more than the police authorities they will replace.

Mr Race said: “The Government is making up policy on the hoof, which is not the right approach when dealing with issues which are fundamental to the principles of the policing service.

“Ministers apparently remain determined to force it through at breakneck speed, regardless of the overwhelming evidence of the upheaval and cost.

“This is a time when all our efforts should be concentrated, not on creating new and complex administrative structures, but on protecting front-line services for our local communities.”

The Northern Echo revealed two weeks ago that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will order Lib Dem MPs to back the plans, having scrapped his proposal for the controversial idea to be piloted first.

It means the Commons will almost certainly overturn changes made in the Lords, when Lib Dem peers threw out the proposal for commissioners.

Under the current legislation, it would require three-quarters of the crime panel to block a commissioner’s policies, which will now be lowered to twothirds.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We have listened, which is why we are strengthening policing and crime panels and introducing more checks and balances.”

Home Secretary Theresa May believes elections will give people more say over local policing, but critics have warned they are a recipe for corruption.

The commissioners will be paid £122,000 a year.

The Local Government Association said it was pleased with the changes, although it would continue to press for a “robust model for appointing deputy commissioners”.