Provisional Police Funding Announcement

Statement from Sir Clive Loader, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire, regarding today’s (18 December 2013) Provisional Police Funding Announcement

“Today I received details of the Government’s provisional police funding settlement for 2014/15 which, although the finite details are still to be worked out, was, disappointingly, lower than anticipated.

“The position is exacerbated still further by the surprising revelation that new initiatives such as the Innovation Fund, the expansion of the role of the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the new Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary inspection programme, will be funded from the overall police budget.

“Luckily, due to astute advance planning and financial prudence in previous years, the force has already made significant savings and the efficiency programme continues.

“However, the anticipated shortfall over the years 2014/15 to 2016/17 is still extremely testing. To address this, I set the force a challenge of developing a change programme to address the anticipated gap identified. In June 2013, I approved the force Change Programme to balance the budget and to ensure a force that is fit for the future - and which is sustainable both financially and in terms of operational delivery.

“Currently, Leicestershire is set to receive £70.004M from the Police Grant and £41.278M from the Department for Communities and Local Government, plus of course the portions of the Council Tax local people pay towards policing.

“The change plan has identified options of a further £23M in addition to savings already achieved and will result in a smaller, leaner force (although still a recruiting force) working closer with partners and communities to deliver an effective policing service. 

“The police service will feel different, as well as look different, and will police in a different way. This will be achieved by utilising police officers only in roles that require warranted powers or specific expertise. A programme of workforce modernisation will see police staff completing certain duties that have historically been undertaken by police officers.  Work on the settlement will continue in light of the announcement.

“I have also prioritised the sum of £3.8M in 2014/15 to commission services to meet the priorities identified in the Police and Crime Plan and the refreshed Commissioning Framework due be released shortly.”

Ends

Media Enquiries:   Sallie Blair - 01283 821012 / 07702 541401

 

Posted on Monday 9th May 2016
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