Release: Dorset PCC launches precept survey
Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner is asking the public for their views on the policing part of the council tax.
The PCC, who is responsible for setting the police budget, wants to hear from Dorset residents to help him make an informed decision about increasing the police precept for the next financial year.
Dorset remains the eighth safest place to live in the country, with crime falling and positive outcomes for victims on the rise. But despite the PCC relentlessly lobbying for changes to the national funding formula, Dorset remains the second lowest funded Force in the country.
David Sidwick said: “Asking Dorset residents how much more they would be prepared to pay towards policing, is not something I do lightly - I recognise how difficult things are for households which is why I am beyond frustrated at this unfair situation.
“But, without the changes I have called for nationally, the current forecast leaves Dorset Police in an exceedingly difficult financial situation despite years of efficiencies, cost savings, and prudent but tough financial decisions from the Force. Once again policing is being asked to do more and more, with less.
“This Government has chosen to perpetuate with the implementation of the national funding formula and have made it abundantly clear they want forces to be funded this way - through PCCs raising the precept - and while I will continue to fight for change, I must be realistic and responsible to ensure Dorset Police have the necessary resources to continue keeping people safe and fighting crime.
“This means I am left with very little choice but to ask people in Dorset for how much extra they would be willing to pay towards policing.”
The survey provides three options, setting out the consequences of each choice. These options include the potential maximum amount PCCs may be able to ask for - £14 per year. There are two other amounts set in the survey, both likely to be above the precept limit – the options of £20 per year and £26 per year, which is the amount needed to balance the budget and allow for some investment to be made in policing. Choosing one of these amounts would enable the PCC to continue to advocate on your behalf and push the government for a better, fairer deal for Dorset.
The confirmed maximum PCCs may be able to ask for is expected to be announced in December, along with the allocation of central government funding.
Currently, the amount Dorset Police receive through central government funding does not take into account seasonality and sparsity, nor does it cover increases in supplies and services due to continuing inflation, the underfunded mandatory pay awards or the increasing cost of policing which includes extensive and complex investigations, facilitating public protests and demonstrations, and the challenges of increasing summer demand.
The PCC added: “These financial pressures, alongside the continuing costs of officer recruitment and retention, mean I need to ensure Dorset Police has sufficient resources to prevent and investigate crime, support victims and protect communities.
“I want to be clear: Dorset is a safe place. Crime has fallen by 2.7% in the past year, with positive outcomes on the rise, anti-social behaviour continuing to fall and more than 92% of 999 calls being answered within just ten seconds. In the past year, the Force has also improved outcomes for victims of burglary, with Dorset now in the top quarter of all Forces nationally. These are significant achievements, particularly among a challenging financial backdrop, and especially given the influx of visitors our county sees for many months of the year, stretching our already under-pressure resources even further.
“I want to ensure the Force can continue with this work – but in doing so, would like your support through this survey. Dorset Police must continue to make a difference and keep us safe, and I want to work with our communities to ensure we stay one of the safest places in the country.”
Please fill in the survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/websitepcc