THE amount people pay to South Wales Police will go up by more than 7% in the next financial year.
Emma Wools, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for South Wales, has announced a 7.37% (£26) increase to the precept following consideration by the police and crime panel “to continue to deliver on the priorities, the public of South Wales need and expect from their police force”.
This means a £2.17 increase per month for a Band D property, a £1.92 increase per month for Band C, a £1.69 increase per month for Band B and a £1.45 increase per month for Band A.
In total, Band A properties will pay £252.45, Band B will pay £294.52, Band C will pay £336.60, Band D £378.67, Band E £462.82, Band F £546.97, Band G £631.12, Band H £757.34, and Band I £883.56.
The police and crime panel report said compared to the other Welsh forces, the £26 (7.37%) increase is the second-lowest.
The force is set to have a budget of £410m, with £195.9m coming from the precept and the rest (£214.1m) from the Home Office and Welsh Government core grant.
The police and crime panel report claimed the chief constable decided removing 13 whole-time equivalent (WTE) officers (non-neighbourhood or youth engagement) from the police officer establishment would help achieve a balanced budget.
This still leaves a budget gap of £1m and the commissioner’s only realistic choice, said the report, was to raise the precept by £26, noting that each £1 increase in precept raises £500,000.
PCC Emma Wools said: “Since my election, I’ve made it a priority to engage widely with the people of south Wales to really understand their concerns and how we as a police force deliver the safe, just and inclusive south Wales they voted for back in May.
“As your Welsh Labour PCC, I’m acutely aware of the financial pressures that households right across South Wales are facing. I’ve visited and engaged with communities the length and breadth of the force area, listened to their concerns and this has resulted in me being able to announce one of the lowest precept increases in Wales.
“Despite the continued backdrop of a difficult economic situation, with inflation, police pay, and other costs all rising, this increase to the precept ensures we can protect neighbourhood policing, tackle violent crime, prioritise crime prevention, continue vitally important support for victims and invest in technology to tackle new and emerging crime types.
“The people of South Wales know that over a decade of underfunding has left our public services in dire need of investment, that’s why I’ve recommended an increase to the precept, to invest in our police force, prioritise the public’s key concerns and deliver the level of service the taxpayers of South Wales want and expect.”
By Anthony Lewis, local democracy reporter
.
- Pencoed tangled up by ‘Seaweeds’
- Primary school’s former deputy head is banned from teaching
- I make no apologies for calling Plaid Cymru ‘separatists’
⭐ All of our social media in one handy place – here
Pencoed tangled up by ‘Seaweeds’
Primary school’s former deputy head is banned from teaching
I make no apologies for calling Plaid Cymru ‘separatists’
‘The importance of participation and continued learning’
Opposition leaders clash with First Minister over independence rally
How Kevin saved a stranger’s life
