Decision Reference Number: WPCC3-0117
Lead Officer: Sara Ansell
Chief Officer approval: N/A
Date: 31/01/2024
Status: Non-confidential
Decision summary:
This Decision Notice provides notice of the formal consideration for the setting of the precept for the financial year 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025.
The Commissioner is required to propose a precept to the Police and Crime Panel by no later than the 01 February 2024
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.
The final precept must be determined by the 1st March 2024.
I confirm that my register of interest’s declaration is up to date and that none of my interests preclude me from making this decision.
Signature: P.Seccombe TD
Date: 02/02/2024
Supporting information
1. Background information
To assist the Commissioner to determine a proposed precept level, the Commissioner’s Chief Financial Officer has prepared the accompanying Budget and precept report, which provides details on the budget, the benefits of that budget, savings required, the MTFP, reserves and the capital programme, that will be discussed at the Panel meeting on the 5th February 2024.
In setting the proposed precept the Commissioner has had regard to public responses and those of Council Taxpayer representatives. These have been summarised in the accompanying report.
2. List of additional information attached as appendices
Proposed budget and precept report, in addition to the briefing note provided to the Police and Crime panel, in late January.
3. Expected benefits
The budget provides the funding for all 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 over the medium-term period and how that will be financed.
All the expected benefits arising from this budget are included within the attached report as presented to the Police and Crime Panel on the 5th February 2024. 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 considerations
The budget provides for the continuation and development of policing services for all people in Warwickshire, irrespective of their protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
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.
Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires the Commissioner to set a budget and precept by 1st March each year.
The Commissioner must ensure that the precept is sufficient to provide for the expenditure estimates it will incur in the year in performing functions, defraying outstanding expenditure incurred earlier, any expenditure before precepts become sufficiently available and any payments into reserves.
The Localism Act 2011 has abolished the council tax capping regime and replaced it with the requirement for Authorities to hold a taxpayer’s referendum if excessive increases are proposed. In 2024/25 an excessive increase would be £13.01 or greater.
Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 requires the CFO to report to the Commissioner on the robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of the statutory budget calculations and the adequacy of financial reserves and the Commissioner must have regard to that report when making decisions about the statutory budget calculations. The attached report includes this assessment.
8. Social or Environmental considerations
The budget provides for the continuation and development of policing services for all people in Warwickshire. Services will be provided in a manner which considers the social and environmental impacts, and preparing for a sustainable future is one of the main priorities of the Estates capital work included within this budget.
9. 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 issue of proposing a budget is a necessary stage in finalising the precept for 2024/25, which will be used to support the Commissioner’s 2024/25 spending plans. All the relevant budget and precept information considered as part of this process is included within the attached report.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
The Commissioner is required to present a proposed precept to the Police & Crime Panel by no later than 1 February 2024. 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.
