People asked to have say on police budget
POLICE & Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden is seeking views from the Valley public ahead of setting next year’s local policing budget.
In 2021/22 Lancashire Constabulary cost £311m a year, with 69 per cent of funding coming from central government and the remaining £99.8m being raised by the policing element of council tax bills, known as the precept.
The commissioner is responsible for setting the amount of money residents contribute to local policing through council tax bills.
Last year the Lancashire Police and Crime Panel backed the recommendation of Mr Snowden’s predecessor Clive Grunshaw for a huge 7.1 per cent hike, adding £10 to the annual bill of a Band A terraced houses and £15 for a Band D family home.
In a statement sent by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, a spokesperson said: “The precept is an essential part of police funding. It helps Lancashire Constabulary have enough money to resource an efficient and effective response to community policing needs.
This is in addition to the 500 police officers that will be recruited into Lancashire Constabulary by March 31, 2023 as part of the Government uplift programme.”
Mr Snowden’s recently launched Police and Crime Plan set out his ambition for more visible frontline police officers, together with investment into crime fighting cyber and digital technology and physical infrastructure to help ensure the force is fit to stay one step ahead of criminals.
Complete the survey at wh1.snapsurveys.com/s. asp?k=164147303139
The survey will close on Wednesday, January 26.