Category: Council tax

Council Tax 2022/23 – Commissioner seeks views of residents on police funding in Surrey

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend is asking the public whether they would be prepared to pay a little extra to support police teams in Surrey over the coming year.

Residents are being urged to fill in a brief survey and share their views on whether they would support a small rise in council tax so that policing levels can be sustained in communities across the county.

The Commissioner said that like all public services, policing is facing a significant rise in costs in the current financial climate and in order to maintain the current position, an increase of some kind will likely be necessary.

The public are being invited to have their say on whether they would agree to pay an extra 83p a month on an average council tax bill.

The short online survey can be filled in here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/YYOV80/

One of the PCC’s key responsibilities is to set the overall budget for Surrey Police including determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county, known as the precept, which funds the Force together with a grant from central government.

The Home Office have given PCCs across the country the flexibility to increase the policing element of a Band D Council Tax bill by £10 a year or an extra 83p a month – the equivalent of around 3.5% across all bands.

The Commissioner is asking the public to fill in her survey to let her know whether they would be prepared to pay the extra 83p – or a higher or lower figure.

Combined with Surrey Police’s share of extra officers from the government’s uplift programme, last year’s increase in the policing element of the council tax meant the Force was able to add 150 officers and operational staff to their ranks.

The increase also helped retain vital operational support staff, such as forensic staff, 999 call handlers and specialist digital investigators, helped fight online fraud and ensuring better crime prevention. In 2022/23, Surrey Police’s share of the uplift programme will mean they can recruit around 70 more police officers.

Earlier this week, the Commissioner launched her Police and Crime Plan for the county which set out the key priorities the public have told her they want Surrey Police to focus on in the next three years.

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “My Police and Crime Plan places a real focus on making sure we not only keep our communities safe but that those that live in them feel safe too.

“I am determined during my time as Commissioner to provide the Surrey public with the very best value for money for their policing service and to put as many officers and staff as possible into our police teams to ensure we protect our residents.

“But in order to achieve that, I must ensure the Chief Constable has the right resources at his disposal.

“The public have told me they want to see more police on their streets and Surrey Police has made real strides in recent years to bolster the ranks of officers and staff by around 300 with more to come this year. Since I took office I have seen first-hand what a vital role they have played in our communities in really difficult circumstances.

“But all public services are facing a tough future with rising costs and we are not immune in policing. I don’t want to see the hard work that has gone into providing a much needed boost to our policing numbers being undone and that is why I am asking the Surrey public for their support during these challenging times.

“But I really want to know what they think so I would ask everyone to take a minute to fill out our brief survey and give me their views.”

The consultation will close at 9.00am on Tuesday 4 January 2022. For more information – visit https://www.surrey-pcc.gov.uk/council-tax-2022-23/

Extra officers and operational support roles set for Surrey Police after PCC’s council tax proposal agreed

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey Police’s ranks will be boosted by extra officers and operational support roles over the coming year after Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro’s proposed council tax precept rise was agreed earlier today.

The PCC’s suggested 5.5% increase for the policing element of the council tax was considered by the county’s Police and Crime Panel during an online meeting this morning.

Although the majority of the panel members present didn’t support the proposal, there were insufficient votes to veto it and the precept was agreed.

Combined with Surrey Police’s next allocation of the 20,000 officers promised by government nationally, it means the Force can add 150 police officer and operational posts to its establishment during 2021/22.

These roles will bolster numbers in those crucial areas needed to increase visibility, improve our public contact and provide that essential operational support to our frontline officers.

The agreed rise will allow the Force to invest in an additional 10 officer and 67 operational support staff roles including:

• A new team of officers focused on reducing the most serious accidents on our roads

‚Ä¢ A dedicated rural crime team to tackle and prevent issues in the county’s rural communities

• More police staff focused on assisting local investigations, such as interviewing suspects, to allow police officers to stay out visible in communities

• Trained intelligence gathering and research analysts to gather information on criminal gangs operating in Surrey and help target those causing the most harm in our communities

• More police roles focused on engaging with the public and making it easier to contact Surrey Police via digital means and the 101 service.

• Additional funding to provide key support services for victims of crime Рin particular domestic violence, stalking and child abuse.

Today’s decision will mean the policing element of an average Band D Council Tax bill will be set at £285.57 – an increase of £15 a year or 29p a week. It equates to around a 5.5% increase across all council tax bands.

The PCC’s office carried out a public consultation throughout January and early February in which nearly 4,500 respondents answered a survey with their views. The survey result was extremely close with 49% of respondents agreeing with the PCC’s proposal with 51% against.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro said: “Police resources have been stretched to the limit over the last decade and I have pledged to do everything I can to put more officers back into our communities tackling those issues that matter to Surrey residents.

“So I’m pleased that this year’s precept has been agreed which will mean more numbers added to the Surrey Police establishment that will provide a badly needed boost to our frontline.

“When I launched our consultation in January, I said asking the public for more money during these difficult times was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make as PCC.

“That has been borne out in our survey which showed a really even split in people’s views on supporting my proposed rise and I fully appreciate the hardship lots of people are facing during this extremely difficult period.

“But I firmly believe that in these uncertain times the role our police teams play in keeping our communities safe has never been more important and that tipped the balance for me in recommending this increase.

“I would like to thank all those members of the public who took the time to fill in our survey and give us their views. We received over 2,500 comments from people with a range of views on policing in this county and I have read each and every one.

“This will help shape the conversations I have with the Chief Constable on those issues which you have told me are important to you.

“I want to ensure that our residents get the very best value for money from their police force so I will be paying close attention to ensure these extra roles are filled as quickly as possible so they can start making a difference to our communities.”

Council Tax 2021/22 – Would you pay a bit more to boost policing numbers and support officers and staff in Surrey?

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro is asking residents whether they would be prepared to pay a bit more in council tax to boost policing numbers and support officers and staff in the county over the coming year.

The PCC is consulting with Surrey tax-payers on his proposal of a 5.5% annual increase in the amount the public pay for policing through their council tax.

The Commissioner said he believes the role police officers and staff play in Surrey’s communities is more important now than ever as the county continues to face up to challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The proposed rise, coupled with Surrey Police’s next allocation of the 20,000 officers paid for by central government, would mean the Force could add an extra 150 officers and staff to their establishment over the coming year.

The PCC is inviting the public to have their say by filling in a short online survey here.

One of the PCC’s key responsibilities is to set the overall budget for Surrey Police including determining the level of council tax raised for policing in the county, known as the precept, which funds the Force together with a grant from central government.

In December, the Home Office gave PCCs across the country the flexibility to increase the policing element of a Band D Council Tax bill by £15 a year or an extra £1.25 a month – the equivalent of around 5.5% across all bands.

The combination of last year’s precept together with the initial share of the national officer uplift meant Surrey Police were able to strengthen their establishment by 150 officers and staff during 2020/21.

Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the Force are well on track to fill those posts by the end of this financial year and the PCC said he wants to match that success by adding another 150 to the ranks during 2021/22.

The government has provided ring-fenced funding for an extra 73 officers for Surrey Police for the second tranche of officers from their national uplift.

To complement that uplift in police numbers – the PCC’s proposed 5.5% rise would allow the Force to invest in an additional 10 officer and 67 staff roles including:

  • A new team of officers focused on reducing the most serious accidents on our roads
  • A dedicated rural crime team to tackle and prevent issues in the county’s rural communities
  • More police staff focused on assisting local investigations, such as interviewing suspects, to allow police officers to stay out visible in communities
  • Trained intelligence gathering and research analysts to gather information on criminal gangs operating in Surrey and help target those causing the most harm in our communities
  • More police staff focused on engaging with the public and making it easier to contact Surrey Police via digital means and the 101 service.
  • Additional funding to provide key support services for victims of crime – in particular domestic violence, stalking and child abuse.

PCC David Munro said: “We are all living through an incredibly difficult time so deciding what I think the public should pay for their policing in Surrey over the next year is one of the hardest tasks I have faced as your Police and Crime Commissioner.

“Over the last year our police officers and staff have faced unprecedented challenges in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, putting themselves and their loved ones at risk to keep us safe. I believe the role they play in our communities during these uncertain days is more important now than ever.

“Residents across the county have consistently told me that they really value their police teams and would like to see more of them in our communities.

“This remains a key priority for me and after years of government cuts to our police service, we have a real opportunity to continue the significant strides we have made in the last few years in recruiting those badly needed extra numbers to the Surrey Police frontline.

“That is why I am proposing a 5.5% increase in the police element of council tax which would mean we could bolster officer and staff numbers in those crucial roles that are needed to increase visibility, improve our public contact and provide that essential operational support to our frontline officers.

“It is always difficult to ask the public to pay more money, particularly in these troubled times. That is why it is really important to me however to get the views and opinions of the Surrey public so I would ask everyone to take a minute to fill out our survey and let me know their thoughts.”

The consultation will close at 9.00am on Friday 5 February 2020. If you want to read more about the PCC’s proposal click here.

Together with the Surrey Police Chief Officer Team and local Borough Commanders, the PCC will also be carrying out a series of online public engagement events in every borough in the county in the next five weeks to hear people’s views in person.

You can sign up to your local event on our Engagement Events page.

Have your say as ‘Policing your Community’ events return online

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey are once more teaming up to invite residents to have their say in a new series of public engagement events across Surrey.

The events in January and February will be held online, but will still provide an opportunity to ask the PCC, Chief Constable an Borough Commander responsible for policing in your community, about the issues that matter most to you.

There will also be a chance to talk to Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro about proposals for the 2021-22 Council Tax Precept and to take part in his public consultation launched in January.

PCC David Munro said: “After an extremely difficult year for so many in our communities, this year’s events offer an even more valuable opportunity to be involved and have your say in policing where you live.

“Setting the policing element of the council tax is one of the most vital tasks a PCC has to make.Engaging directly with our communities over the next few weeks will also maximise the opportunities for the Surrey public to have their say in that decision.”

Residents are urged see more details on the event for their area on our Engagement Events page.

PCC welcomes commitment to strengthening policing service following government settlement for 2021/22

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

The Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro has welcomed this year’s government settlement for policing announced yesterday saying it will enable Surrey Police to maintain its recruitment of extra officers and staff.

The Home Office today revealed their funding package for 2021/22 which includes over £400 million to recruit 20,000 extra officers nationally by 2023.

The combination of last year’s council tax precept in Surrey and the officer uplift promised by government meant Surrey Police have been able to strengthen their establishment by 150 officers and staff during 2020/21.

Yesterday’s settlement gives PCC’s the flexibility to raise a maximum of £15 a year on an average Band D property through the precept for the next financial year. This equates to around 5.5% across all council tax property bands and would provide an additional £7.4m for policing in Surrey.

Once the Commissioner has finalised his precept proposal in the coming days – he will be consulting with the Surrey public in early January.

However the PCC said he remains troubled that the funding formula used to calculate the settlement remains unchanged meaning once again Surrey has received the lowest level of grant of all forces.

To read the Home Office announcement – click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/police-to-receive-more-than-15-billion-to-fight-crime-and-recruit-more-officers

PCC David Munro said: “The settlement announcement does show the government remains committed to strengthening our police service which is good news for our communities in Surrey.

“We obviously need to take stock and work through the finer details of today’s announcement and I will be working with the Chief Constable in the coming days to finalise my precept proposal for the next financial year.

“I will then be consulting with the public in January and I’m really keen to hear the views of residents on both my proposal and the police service in this county.

“Whilst the settlement does represent good news, I remain disappointed that Surrey residents will in effect continue to pay a larger proportion of the cost of their policing than anyone else in the country.

“I believe the police funding formula is fundamentally flawed and I wrote to the Home Secretary earlier this year urging the need for a root-and-branch review to make it a fairer system. I will continue to press that point over coming months to fight for fairer funding for policing in this county.”