19 January 2012
Have Your Say On Policing
South Wales Police Authority is giving the public a chance to have their say on the policing budget for the next year in a new survey.
The survey, available online by
clicking here, asks for opinions on the police element of council tax and other funding issues.
Chair of the Police Authority, Councillor Russell Roberts, said: “It is no secret that South Wales Police Authority, like many organisations, is facing a tough financial future. Last year we made the difficult decision to hold the police precept element of the council tax at 5%, despite the tough financial climate for everyone. We did this as a result of the budget cuts imposed on us by the Coalition Government. These financial challenges remain, and will do so for the next few years.
“We need to have your views on our budget in order to make the right decision for any council tax rise for the next year.
“This will be the last time the Police Authority decides on the council tax precept level for South Wales, as November will see us be abolished and replaced by a directly elected Police and Crime Commissioner. We want to make sure that we make the right decision for our communities, and need your assistance in achieving this,
At present, South Wales Police Authority charges £161.35 per year in council tax for a Band D household – that is equal to £3.10 per week for a 24 hour, seven day a week service. This amount is the smallest of the four police forces in Wales by at least £30.”
Councillor Roberts continued: “Setting the budget and the policing element of council tax is one of the most difficult jobs for the Authority. We have to balance the needs of the police service with the requirement to keep the council tax at the lowest possible rate.”
Nearly three quarters of the police budget is made up from government grants. The Coalition Governments Comprehensive Spending Review in 2010 has left South Wales Police with a £47million deficit over four years.
Difficult decisions have already been made by the Police Authority in order to make savings within the organisation, including reshaping the way we carry out policing.
Councillor Roberts concluded: “The decisions over the last year have been very tough. We have seen a cut to the numbers of officers and staff within the organisation, which has been extremely difficult. However, we have to balance this with an appropriate level of council tax precept. For every £1 of council tax increase, we find £2 worth of efficiency savings.
“We have launched a survey which asks for your views, as members of the public, on what you think would be reasonable for the increase. Alongside this, we want to know your views on the changes made by the police service in the last 12 months, and how we effectively communicate with you.”
The results from the survey will be provided to the Police Authority at its meeting on 15 February, when the council tax precept will be set.
To receive a copy of the questionnaire through the post, please contact the Police Authority office directly on 01656 869366.