Decision Title: 2022/23 revised precept
Decision Reference Number: WPCC3-0043
Lead Officer: Sara Ansell, Treasurer
If force business, date approved by Chief Officer: n/a
Date: 10 February, 2022
Status: Non Confidential
Decision summary:
This Decision Notice provides notice of the formal consideration for the setting of a revised precept for the financial year 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023.
The Commissioner proposed his initial precept to the Police and Crime Panel on the 27th January 2022. The Panel chose not to support that proposal and issued a report on the 3 February 2022.
The Commissioner is required to act in conformity with the Police & Crime Panels (Precept and Chief Constable Appointments) Regulations 2012.
When setting a budget requirement, the Commissioner must have regard to representations received and any reports of the Police and Crime Panel. He has now agreed a precept increase of £9.75, which the panel have indicated they support at the Police and Crime Panel meeting on the 10th February 2022. The Commissioner will respond formally to the Panels letter before the 15 February and will follow due process, before issuing his final precept for 2022/23.
The final precept must be determined by 1 March 2022.
I confirm that my register of interests declaration is up to date and that none of my interests preclude me from making this decision.
Signature: Philip Seccombe
Date: 10th February 2022
Supporting information
1. Background information
This decision notice should be read in conjunction with decision notice WP3-0035. The supporting documentation in respect of that decision notice and this one explains the full details regarding the budget and precept setting process for 2022/23. The Commissioner has followed all due process and will be setting a precept of £262.71 for 2022/23. This represents a £9.75 or 3.85% increase. The letters between the Commissioner and the Police and Crime Panel which represent the wraparound governance to this revised budget and precept are published on the PCC’s website.
2. List of additional information attached as appendices
Revised budget and precept report to the Police and Crime Panel, dated 10 February 2022.
3. Expected benefits
The budget provides the funding for all of the activities and responsibilities falling within the remit of the Commissioner and outlines the resources available to address that level of activity. The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) provides a guide to the longer term sustainability of the Commissioner’s plans. It also includes information in relation to the level of reserves and their usage by the Commissioner, in addition to detail on the planned capital investment of the medium term period and how that will be financed.
All the expected specific benefits arising from this budget were included within the report to the Police and Crime Panel on the 27 January 2022 (WPCC3-0035) and enhanced through further measures as detailed in the attached report. The Commissioner will monitor the delivery of these benefits through the holding to account process.
4. Impact of not approving the application
The Commissioner will not fulfil his obligations under the Police & Crime Panels (Precept and Chief Constable Appointments) Regulations 2012 and would not therefore fulfil one of his primary statutory functions.
5. Costs (including any identified savings)
All cost information is included within the attached report accompanying this decision notice.
6. Equality implications
All relevant policies apply to all aspects of the budget and spending
7. Legal comments
The PCC is required to set a balanced budget and requires the force to operate within it. Proposing the precept and approving the budget is one of the primary statutory responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner. As the Police and Crime Panel chose not to support the original precept proposal, the Commissioner has taken account of the Panel’s report and set a precept in accordance with it. He will follow all due process before issuing his precept for 2022/23.
8. Publication
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Unless the information provided is covered by an exemption and stated to be either confidential or partly confidential, the information contained in the form will be published on the OPCC website.
Comments from the Treasurer
The Commissioner has fulfilled all of his obligations under the Police & Crime Panels (Precept and Chief Constable Appointments) Regulations 2012.
He will only issue his precept when the governance process has been completed. The report attached to this decision notice, and decision notice WPC3-0035, provide full details regarding the budget and precept setting process for 2022/23.
The precept for 2022/23 will be £262.71 and will deliver a number of benefits for policing in Warwickshire in 2022/23. The Commissioner will hold the Chief Constable to account for the delivery of these during the course of the year.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
The Commissioner has determined a revised precept following the decision on the Police and Crime Panel to exercise their right to veto the initial. The Commissioner has reviewed the budget in order to determine the appropriate amount to issue as a precept, and has held discussions with the Chief Constable to ensure her priorities can be aligned.
