In this episode on police, fire and crime panels, Paul and John Gili-Ross (Chair of the National Association of Police, Fire & Crime Panels and Chair of the Essex PFCP) unpack how police and fire budgets are really set – and what panels actually do when it comes to agreeing the council tax precept.
They explore the pressures behind this year’s “maximum” precept rises, the long-criticised police funding formula, what the latest National Audit Office report on police productivity reveals about reserves and borrowing, and why future reforms, mayors and an upcoming policing white paper could make the next budget round even more challenging.
Takeaways
- An awful lot of work goes into setting the budget throughout the year.
- The majority of police funding comes from government grants.
- The policing funding formula has not changed in many years.
- Efficient police forces may be adversely affected by the funding formula.
- The precept is based on council tax and can be raised to a maximum.
- Vetoing the precept has negligible real-world effects.
- Awareness of police productivity is essential for panel members.
- Police have had to use reserves to maintain operations.
- Upcoming reforms may significantly impact police funding.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Police Budgeting and Panels
02:35 Understanding Funding Sources and Budget Allocation
06:47 The Role of Precept in Policing Budgets
10:14 Challenges in Police Funding and Efficiency
14:22 Future of Policing and Upcoming Reforms
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