Statement on Precept funding 2023/24
The county’s Police and Crime Panel have unanimously approved plans to increase the amount of money Dorset residents pay for their policing service.
This means when you get your council tax bill for April, you’ll be paying an extra £15 a year, or £1.25 a month, if you live in a band D property*.
The agreement from the Panel to increase precept this year comes after an on-line survey was held with the public; of the 1553 respondents, 74% agreed that Dorset Police requires additional funding and 60% supported the proposal to raise the precept.
The Precept survey ran for 6 weeks, from Monday 19 December 2022 to Tuesday 31st January 2023. The survey was available online throughout this period, promoted via local media, Dorset Alert, the OPCC website, social media, face to face events and via a Facebook Live online engagement event.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “I want to thank each of the 1553 people who responded to share their thoughts on police funding and precept.”
Last year, I gave you my assurance that the precept funding would be spent under the prism of the ‘Make Every Penny Count’ priority of my Police and Crime Plan and that is exactly what has happened.”
Over the last year, I have overseen an increase in investment into strengthening neighbourhood policing, I have seen Dorset Police overachieve on its recruitment targets and introduce new ground-breaking policing operations such as Op Viper and Op Scorpion to tackle county lines and drug crime.”
“I have ensured that investment has been made in tackling ASB through Op Relentless and through my own Op Relentless Community Fund and I have made available more vital resources for tackling rural crime across our county.
I have made no secret of my frustration that Dorset Police is one of the lowest funded forces in the country and I am absolutely intent on changing that. I will continue to lobby government to make the changes to the funding formula because I want a ‘fair share’ for Dorset. Nothing would make me happier than not to have to rely on funding the service via precept contributions – but until we get a fair share of the funding, I am reliant on the support of the residents and homeowners of Dorset.”
“I give you my assurance that this year’s precept funding will be spent wisely and well and to the advantage of the residents and communities of Dorset, and in the pursuit of making our county the safest in England and Wales.”
David Sidwick
Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset
View the 2023/24 Precept leaflet here. (Please note that changes have been made to the 101 service since the production of this leaflet. You can find more information here.)
- Full details of the 2023/24 Budget, Precept and medium-term financial strategy are available here - Agenda for Police and Crime Panel on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023, 10.00 am - Dorset Council
- Council Tax Band Information
- Precept Infographic 2023/24
