West Mercia PCC’s budget proposals supported during consultation

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has been consulting on his budget proposals for 2017/18, which would see the police precept frozen and an additional £4.5m spent on policing.

The consultation survey closed on Monday 23 January with a total of 709 responses. Of which, 508 (71.7%) people voted in favour of the Commissioner’s proposal to freeze the policing element of council tax and pull £4.5m from reserves to boost the investment in this year’s local policing budget.

John Campion’s budget proposals will ensure there is continued investment in West Mercia police, enabling greater efficiencies for the future, whilst addressing the issues that matter most to the communities and ensuring better value for public money.

The Commissioner said: “I am grateful to all those who took part in the survey and shared their views. I promised that I would make sure policing budgets were spent as wisely and efficiently as possible, before I ever asked our communities for any more. This is why I proposed a freeze in the policing element of council tax for the coming financial year, because I believe there are greater efficiencies that must be achieved. However, by utilising the healthy reserves we have, 2017/18 would see a considerable increase in spending.

“I also promised I would reform and modernise our police service. My budget proposals include major positive investments designed to improve police visibility in our communities, ensure better customer service and protect our most vulnerable people. It will also provide new fit-for-purpose technology that will bring it up to date and in-line with other forces in the UK, giving our officers the tools they need to do their difficult jobs better.”

John Campion will be presenting his budget report to the Police and Crime Panel on Tuesday 7 February for their consideration.

Issued on: Thursday 26th January