£6m hike in day-to-day police costs

DYFEDPOWYS Police will spend £119.8 million on day-to-day costs in 2021-22, more than half of which will come from council taxpayers in the area.

This is nearly £6 million more than the current financial year and comprises a central Government grant of £59.9 million - 5.2% more than this year - and £62.3 million from the council tax precept, which is a 5.76% hike.

It means band D householders in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys and Ceredigion will contribute £275.56p to policing in their area.

It comes as the budget was set by the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel, who listened to police commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn make his case for the precept rise and then voted in favour of it, with only one abstention.

“Ideally I would like to see central funding being a bigger proportion of this investment,” said Mr Llywelyn.

He also said he had considered a public consultation on the proposed precept rise, in which 64% of respondents said they would be willing to pay an extra £1.50 or £2 each month.

Panel member Cllr Keith Evans said a finance group he was part of had balanced the impact of the proposed precept rise - particularly in light of the difficulties faced by many people during the coronavirus pandemic - against the commissioner’s funding request.

The group had recommended the 5.76% rise should be approved.

The force is also set to spend £14.9 million on capital schemes – almost double the current year – which will require borrowing and a further draw on reserves.

Cllr Evans branded an £85,000 capital grant from the UK Government “a paltry sum” compared to this year’s grant of £325,000.

Cllr John Prosser – the sole abstainer – said “a huge number of residents” had lost their jobs or been furloughed during the Covid crisis.

“This is a once in a lifetime event,” he said. “I’m not quite sure that I can honestly sit here and say this is the time we should do this.”

Cllr Prosser asked the commissioner if capital schemes could be suspended or put back a year to save money.

Mr Llywelyn said delaying such projects would add to construction and associated costs, and pointed out that Cllr Prosser’s home town would be benefiting from a new policing hub costing £15 million to £20 million.

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Ty Golau update Due to the coronavirus, Ty Golau sessions have naturally been put on hold. Manager Janet Lewis is at present unsure when sessions resume but will update and advise when it will be safe to do so. Kidwelly & Mynydd-y-garreg Community Action Response: Covid-19 We are a group of volunteers that are here to offer support and help during this coronavirus health crisis for the people of Kidwelly and Mynydd-ygarreg. At present we can offer support through the internet or if you prefer on the telephone to alleviate loneliness and worry should you need to self-isolate. Also, at present, we can offer a door drop-off service for provisions should you run out. We are aware that many groups, organisations and events have been stopped or cancelled, particularly for older people. We are here should you feel worried or lonely. This is going to take a collective effort and it starts here. Please contact 07789 969893, 07789 510222 or 07552 204424 or email kidwellymynyddcommunity@outlook.com Councillor surgery As the monthly surgeries are cancelled due to the current situation, county councillor Jeanette Gilasbey wishes to advise that she is still available to any members of the community wishing to discuss any concerns or issues that need addressing. Please contact either via email jgilasbey@ carmarthenshire.gov.uk or telephone 01554 892729.

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