THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire, Philip Seccombe, has launched his annual consultation on the policing budget, asking the public for their feedback on how best to meet the challenges facing police in the county.
Mr Seccombe wants to hear views on where the public feels some of the main priorities for spending should be placed, as he sets the finances for Warwickshire Police for 2022/23.
The consultation comes as the Government has confirmed funding is in place to support the continued recruitment of new police officers, which will see Warwickshire Police reach its highest ever total of 1,100 by the end of 2022.
Aside from the core central grant from Government, just under half of the police budget is made up from Council Tax contributions, through the Police Precept.
In its settlement announcement, the Government gave Police and Crime Commissioners the flexibility to increase the Police Precept by up to £10 a year on an average Band D property – around 83p per month.
This equates to a percentage increase of 3.95 per cent and would raise around £500,000 more than a standstill budget.
“I know that these are not easy financial times for many households and that’s why it’s important I gather the views of local people and council tax payers as to whether an increase in the precept is justified and if so, what priorities it should be spent on,” said Mr Seccombe.
“I would encourage everyone who lives, works or studies in Warwickshire to have their say before the consultation closes on January 17.”
To take part visit: www.warwickshire-pcc.gov.uk.
