THERE are less than two weeks left for residents across Cheshire to have their say on the Police Budget for the upcoming year. The survey closes at midday on Tuesday, January 25.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer launched his launched his ‘Your Police Budget 2022/23’ survey on January 4, asking residents to give their views on the police precept – the part of council tax that contributes to Cheshire Constabulary.
You can take the survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/yourpolicebudget2022-23 Following feedback received from residents since returning to office in May and in last year’s Autumn Survey – the largest consultation exercise ever carried out by Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner – a budget has been produced that will see 120 extra officers recruited. This will be alongside 63 more front line staff in areas like the call centre, as well as schemes to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), and road safety initiatives.
Mr Dwyer said: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has already shared their views with me. If you haven’t fed back, then please do. The survey only takes a couple of minutes and I would urge as many people to have their say as possible.”
In addition to the online survey, the Commissioner will be holding a series of ‘Consultation Roadshow’ events around the county throughout January where people can speak to him directly and take the survey in person.
The Commissioner is asking local people if they would be willing to pay approximately 83p per month extra via the police precept, for the average band D household.
Mr Dwyer added: “We are benefiting from increased funding from central government and the national Police Officer Uplift programme, however in my Autumn Survey I was up front with people, I said a small precept rise would be necessary in order to keep the police at a standstill. Over 85% of people who expressed a view said they were happy to pay more above this in order for the Constabulary to have more resources.
“The most popular option by some way was an increase in the police precept of 20p per week above standstill – equivalent to £1.04 per month. However, I am ultimately asking residents for less than this.
“This is because I am extremely conscious of the cost of living, and the fact that residents gave a diverse range of views. I am also aware that asking for support to raise the precept even further would require me to hold a referendum, which I do not believe would be a valuable use of people’s hard-earned money.”
The survey will close at midday on Tuesday 25 January. To take the Commissioner’s survey online, go to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/yourpolicebudget2022-23
To request a hard copy of the survey, email [email protected]
