Residents' Views Sought on Police Budget

Police and Crime Commissioner, John Dwyer, is asking people across Cheshire to complete a short survey about their policing priorities for the coming year and the police precept -- the part of Council Tax that funds Cheshire Constabulary. More than 40% of Cheshire Constabulary's funding came from Council Tax in 2022/23. This key part of the police budget has enabled the Constabulary to make several improvements in areas most important to the public, including:

Recruiting more call handlers and more than halving 101 average waiting times, from over 17 minutes in Summer 2021 to around five and a half minutes now. Cutting the average time it takes to attend emergencies to less than 10 minutes and reducing the average attendance time for prompt non-emergencies by a third. Increasing the number of arrests made by 35% over the past year. Maintaining the 122 community policing model, where each of Cheshire's communities is allocated its own dedicated police team.

Government funding for Cheshire Constabulary is set to increase, however inflation has seen nearly £14 million added to the cost of policing. As families and businesses have had to look at their own budgets in the current climate, the police have been doing the same and £6.7 million has been identified through savings and reserves to close the gap, however there is still a shortfall.

To find extra funding for policing, Commissioners can increase the police precept by £15 per year -- £1.25 per month -- for a Band D Council Tax property, without the need to hold a referendum. Nearly two thirds of Cheshire properties fall into Bands A-C, meaning most households would pay less, and at 6.4% across all Bands an increase of this amount would fall below the current rate of inflation.Increasing the precept by 6.4% -- below inflation -- would allow the Constabulary to meet the funding gap and maintain the improved level of service.

John Dwyer said "setting the police precept is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I know that the cost of living is affecting people and public services in different ways and that's why I've provided a number of options in the survey. It's vital that I get the views of people right across Cheshire so please do have your say."

You can complete the survey here. The survey will close at midday on Tuesday 24 January.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the police budget and survey are available here