Police precept rise of 5.49 per cent to be reconsidered

Gwent's Police and Crime Commissioner has been asked to reconsider a proposed precept rise of 5.49 per cent.

The proposed increase was put before a meeting of the Gwent Police and Crime Panel – which is made up of councillors from each of Gwent’s five councils – at a meeting on Friday.

The planned increase in precept, which is included in council tax bills, would amount to an extra £15 per year – or £1.25 per month – on a Band D property.

But the crime panel has recommended options are looked at to reduce the increase, on the condition that it does not affect frontline officer and staff numbers.

Jeff Cuthbert, Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, said the panel has “a difficult decision to make”.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make during my time as commissioner and I want to reassure residents that it is not being taken lightly,” Mr Cuthbert said.

“I understand that any increase in council tax could be hard for residents, especially during this pandemic.

“However, the fact remains that a considerable amount of Gwent Police’s budget comes from local taxpayers and, without an increase, cuts will have to be made.

“I will speak with the chief constable of Gwent Police to understand how we can maximise savings and preserve the frontline before making a final decision on the precept in the coming weeks.”

The proposed increase is intended to go towards funding an additional 18 police community support officers over the next two years, maintaining investment in police officer numbers and meeting increasing demand.

In a public consultation, 54.7 per cent of people said they would be willing to pay an extra £2 per month to maintain current policing levels.

The proposed precept rise would raise £64-million towards Gwent Police’s budget of £147.5-million for next year.

Pam Kelly, chief constable of Gwent Police, said the budget proposal was made with the community “very much in mind” and that it was “not a penny more” than is needed.

“This is an honest budget bid, being mindful of the position of the community,” chief constable Kelly said.

Councillor Colin Mann, vice-chairman of the panel, said: “We very much appreciate the service provided by Gwent police but we have to seriously consider the ability to pay.

“If I am offered a bargain for £1 it is no good to me if I have only 20p in my pocket.

“Gwent had a very high rise last year, the highest in Wales. There is a limit to what people can afford.”

Councillor William Routley praised the force for its work during the coronavirus pandemic, but said residents were also facing “the worst of times”.

“A lot of the residents of Newport are struggling to make ends meet,” he said.