Precept to increase after £1m budget void

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick during a community engagement event in Red Lion Square, Stamford

A consultation, which continues until Thursday January 23, is asking residents about how they would feel about an increase of £3.64 in the police precept, based on a band D property.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick said he was planning on a minimal change to the force’s precept until Westminster announced it was cutting the force’s funding by 4.8 per cent for the year 2014/15, leaving a £1million void.

Despite the cut Mr Hardwick has re-affirmed his commitment to ensuring Lincolnshire’s policing priorities are met.

He said, “National initiatives are being prioritised over local policing needs.

“The Government has top-sliced the police grant nationally to the tune of £80 million to prop-up Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and the failing Independent Police Complaints Commission.

“Around £50 million, which would have been spent on local policing across the Country – a so called ‘innovation fund’ - is being used to cajole inefficient and wasteful forces into finding ways to save money and be more effective.

“In Lincolnshire, we have always taken the view that is part of the day job and done it without financial assistance. We would expect others to do the same.”

“The provisional police grant settlement leaves us with having to find an additional £1 million in savings above those we had planned for.

“This is disappointing and means an increase in the police precept is inevitable.

“However, the Chief Constable and I remain committed to delivering our priorities of continuing to reduce crime, making sure police and services are there when needed and ensuring our communities feel they receive a fair deal from Lincolnshire Police.”

Members of the public can take part in the budget consultation by visiting www.lincolnshire-pcc.gov.uk/News-and-Events/News-Archive/2014/Budget-Consultation-Form-2014---15.aspx

Mr Hardwick added: “I continue to honour my commitment to listen to what the people of Lincolnshire have to say and, as always, look forward to hearing their views.”