PCC Joy Allen will raise concerns regarding police funding

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham and Darlington, Joy Allen, has said that she will write to the Government to raise concerns about police funding. This follows the Government announcement that it is allowing Police and Crime Commissioners to raise precept to pay for the rising costs of policing.  The Police Precept is the amount added to council tax bills which goes towards policing.  Today the Government announced that it can be increased by up to £14 per year for a Band D property from next April - without requiring a public referendum.

PCC Joy Allen said: “Durham’s current Band D charge is £268 which is £10 below the national average – this shows that the force runs a tight ship despite having above average demand, as well as being one of nine forces, out 43, which have been ‘left behind’, and still has fewer officers than it did in 2010.

“I am currently consulting the public on how much more they would be prepared to pay in order to maintain officer and PCSO numbers going forward, as this is what the public wants.  That said, in recent years the Government has expected PCCs to use the precept flexibility given to us to fund the nationally agreed pay award for officers and staff, and this remains the case.  I find this disappointing given the impact that inflation is having on the force, coupled with the fact that we no longer receive a grant to assist with the costs of new fleet, technology or maintaining buildings. I will be writing to the Government to raise these points.”

She continued: “Although I recognise the need to pay our officers and staff adequately in order to attract and retain them, this should be paid for by the Government.  Fellow PCCs, forces and the Government all recognise that the current way that forces are funded is out of date and the previous Government promised to review it, but nothing happened.  I continue to push for a fairer funding method on everyone’s behalf.  

"Other forces can raise much more from a £1 increase in precept than we can, and that does not seem right.  Forces like Durham need more grant to reflect this simple fact, especially given that the force is faced with the same funding pressures as other forces.”

The majority of properties who pay council tax in the force area are in the lowest bands, namely A and B.  This means that they will pay less than the headline increase, once it is agreed.  In practice the majority of households will not see an increase of more than around £11 per year which will help to sustain the whole range of police services across Durham and Darlington.

Ends

‍