Staffordshire’s Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, Matthew Ellis today met with the panel, which scrutinises the work of his office, to spell out the challenges and opportunities facing policing and public services.
Mr Ellis set out the continuing financial challenges in the face of the greater complexity and increased demand, with which policing and wider public services are dealing.
Yesterday, (Thursday) the Commissioner broadly welcomed the long-awaited government funding settlement for policing, but emphasised that given the pressures on policing, finances and resources were still exceptionally tight.
He told the panel: ‘2019/20 sees even greater pressure on budgets for policing and other services that reduce harm and help to keep people safe across our country. In Staffordshire we are no different in terms of financial pressure, but progress is being made on meeting the challenge.
‘My office and the police have been working for many months to find yet more savings and efficiencies, whilst mitigating as much as possible impact for the public. Some joint savings are also well on the way from the police and fire collaboration work.
‘Just over £5.4 million of savings have been identified by Staffordshire Police through efficiency savings and re-designing the way they deliver their services to the public, whilst my office will reduce costs and expenditure on commissioned services relating to crime reduction and prevention by £800k (9% of budget).
‘The budget to support victims will not be cut and I have agreed additional funding to tackle domestic abuse and reduce the harm caused from drugs and alcohol and other substance misuse.
Mr Ellis said this year’s budget setting had been the toughest yet.
‘Our country is experiencing uncertain times, but the daily work of Staffordshire Police and other related services must continue unabated.
‘Whilst the bulk of savings identified are to meet the financial pressures there are some opportunities to add to last year’s investment in extra police officers, which used funding raised from tax payers locally via council tax bills. That will be the focus of the budget consultation I will start soon.
‘I am heartened by the positive comments received over recent months about improvements to the most local neighbourhood policing and pay tribute to the police for achieving that so quickly.’
Out of all the PCC’s in the country the Commissioner has set the lowest council tax increase over his periods in office. The increase since April 2013 is just 8.4% or £14.95. That’s £2.14 for each of the 7 years.
The Commissioner outlined the scale of potential investment, which could be raised locally through policing precept on council tax bills. The limit set by government on the amount that can be raised by Commissioners was increased yesterday by up to 46p a week for an average home.
The Commissioner will confirm his final proposed increase in January, but the public will have a chance to have their say also from next week.
The budget consultation begins next week and will run until January 11, visit our website to take part next week https://staffordshire-pfcc.gov.uk/
The Commissioner will share the views of the public from the consultation when he meets with the Police, Fire and Crime Panel again at the end of January.
