Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne is inviting Sussex residents to provide their thoughts on policing priorities in a survey about the precept, the element of council tax which funds 41% of the Sussex Police budget. This survey forms part of the year-round consultation which informs the PCC’s decision-making process on the Sussex Police budget and the precept:
“The budgets for all public services have been severely impacted by the huge rise in inflation and fuel costs as well as pandemic-related supply chain issues.”
“Sussex Police already has a Transformation Programme underway looking at all areas of force spending and resources but despite their best efforts, rising costs mean that the force will now need to find up to £17m in savings in the next financial year (2023/24) alone.”
“It’s worth reminding ourselves however, just how much progress has been made. Sussex is on track to have 3,089 full time equivalent police officers by March 2023, that’s 137 more police officers than we had 10 years ago when I was first elected to the role of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).”
“I’ve already made it clear that I want Sussex Police to keep all its PCSOs because local residents tell me they really value their presence in their neighbourhoods.”
“We will not know the exact amount that Sussex Police will receive in the Policing Grant Settlement until later in December, but we can anticipate that it will leave us with less than we need without making changes. That is why I may need to ask Sussex households to help by contributing more in their council tax.”
“I know that any increase in household expenditure will be unwelcome and very difficult for some but there are council tax reduction schemes available to those least able to pay more which I will be supporting.”
Currently, the Government allows PCCs the flexibility to increase the precept by up to £10 a year or 83 pence a month (based on a Band D property).
You can provide your views on potential precept increases and tell PCC Bourne what you want police to focus on in her short survey. You can view this by clicking this link.
This consultation opens on Friday 2nd December and closes on Tuesday 10th January 2023.
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