South Wales Police Authority has today agreed to increase the policing element of council tax by 5% – or 2p per day for a Band D property.
The increase will see the overall budget for policing in South Wales rise by 3.5% to £257.3million, which will protect vital services to maintain public safety.
Chair of the Police Authority, Councillor Russell Roberts, said: “Setting the budget is a difficult job at anytime. However, it is made even more difficult this year, as we have had to balance the operational needs of the force against the financial worries faced by the public in South Wales.
“We feel that this increase is appropriate – it is equal to a £7.32 per year increase for a Band D household – or 2p a day. Council tax figures are always indicated based on a Band D household. However, in reality 65% of people in South Wales live in Band A-C properties, and so will be paying between £102.44 and £136.59 per year for a 24/7 emergency service.”
Chief Constable, Mr Peter Vaughan, said: “The Police Authority has today made the right decision for the public safety of South Wales. This increase will mean that the Force can continue without making debilitating cuts to service.
“What continues to be disappointing, however, is that we find ourselves in this difficult financial position. Each year the Government’s funding formula shows that South Wales needs a specific amount of grant money – £189million for 2010-11. This amount takes into consideration the difficult pressures we face –policing two large cities including our Capital, an international airport and ferryport and the home of the Welsh Assembly Government. But yet again we face a shortfall and this year, we will receive only £186.4million – £2.6m less than allocated by the formula.”
Councillor Roberts continued: “We will continue to lobby the Welsh Assembly Government regarding receiving extra funding for policing Cardiff, as this nation’s Capital City. We feel that it is unfair that Lothian and Borders and the Metropolitan Police Service receive additional funding for policing the Capital cities of Edinburgh and London, yet we do not receive anything locally for the additional responsibilities of policing Cardiff.
“South Wales Police Authority has always been prudent in setting the council tax budget. Our precept level is the lowest in Wales by far.
“However, we are well aware of our funding problems, and over the next few years will be planning for these to be resolved. We shall, of course, continue to look for savings within the organisation. Over the past ten years we have achieved big efficiency savings. Last year alone we achieved over £4million of efficiency savings, and will look to achieve the same levels for the next financial year. Our achieved and projected cashable efficiencies since 2000 to 2011/12 amounts to some £35m. There is, however, a limit to the amount of efficiencies we can find within the organisation.
Mr Vaughan concluded: “Of course, I do understand that any rise during the current economic climate may not be easy for some, but the stark reality is that when the economy takes a downturn, crime often goes up meaning we’ll be busier than ever and the public will need us even more.
“The Force and Authority will continue to work together to keep South Wales safe. Along with the budget increase, we will look to make savings within the service where we can.
“We will also make sure that the good performance we have seen in recent months is continued. Our Police Officers and Staff have been working hard to keep South Wales safe, which has led to the highest increase in public confidence nationally – at 6.9% in six months, and the lowest crime rate for almost 20 years, with 30 fewer victims of crime in South Wales every day, when compared with last year.
