This page provides information about how Warwickshire Police will be financed in the 2024/25 financial year. It includes details of how the Police Precept will change (the portion of Council Tax households contribute towards police services), how the money is spent and how the budget has changed. It also outlines the key benefits the Commissioner’s budget will deliver over the course of the year.
You can view the Commissioner’s announcement about the budget on our news pages.
What the budget will deliver
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe
Every year I take on the responsibility of crafting the budget for policing across Warwickshire. It’s not just about crunching numbers; it’s about ensuring that our communities receive the protection they deserve while also equipping the Chief Constable with the resources to uphold operational effectiveness and efficiency. Balancing these needs is no small feat.
In the process of setting a budget that’s fair to taxpayers, tough decisions must be made. It means weighing priorities and sometimes making difficult choices. That’s why I’ve listened carefully to the feedback residents and businesses have given me through the ‘Your Police, Your Views’ survey, as well analysing a wide range of other local and national data.
From this engagement, it’s evident that the majority of the public stands behind increased funding for police services, provided they witness tangible improvements in the services delivered. The proposed budget reflects this sentiment. It earmarks the necessary funds for the Chief Constable to sustain and improve services to the public, as well as ensuring officers and staff are paid properly for what they do, with the right equipment, buildings and facilities to be as effective as possible.
Moreover, the budget amplifies our joint commitment to better outcomes for victims and a more robust pursuit of justice against offenders. It not only sustains the recent uptick in police officer numbers but also aims to bolster our Safer Neighbourhood Teams through continued recruitment of PCSOs and additional resources in our town centres.
Recognising the pressing issue of anti-social behaviour, the budget allocates £1 million of ring-fenced funding to address hot spot areas. This injection, courtesy of the Home Office, will give an increased, visible uniformed presence in these areas, something which I think will be welcomed by all.
Community safety requires strong partnership working and that’s why the budget commits to continuing the range of services I commission to support victims of crime, while also extending grant funding to county organisations dedicated to crime reduction and providing diversionary activities.
Despite Warwickshire Police’s comparatively stable financial footing, budget constraints still persist. Increased funding from Central Government helps, but it’s not enough to cover escalating policing costs and the desired service enhancements. To bridge this gap, the force has undertaken efficiency measures, yielding substantial savings. However, further financial prudence is necessary.
With approximately 70% of our costs fixed, predominantly through pay and pensions, avenues for substantial savings are limited without impacting frontline services. That’s why I am proposing to increase the police element of Council Tax next year by 4.7%, equivalent to 25p per week extra for an average Band D household. While I know there are pressures on all of our budgets, I do think this will be affordable for residents, particularly when combined with the support schemes available for those on lower incomes and an improving economic outlook.
Every penny of this increase must translate into tangible benefits for the public. The Chief Constable has committed to driving improvements in key areas crucial to local residents and businesses. In tandem, I pledge to hold the force accountable for delivering on these commitments and demonstrating value for money, with improved outcomes for all.
Philip Seccombe TD
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Council Tax band - what will households pay?
The amount you pay for the police service will increase by 4.7% in 2023/24. Council Tax bands are calculated to four decimal places but are presented here to two decimal places, therefore they may vary by plus/minus 0.01p.
| Council Tax Band | % of Warwickshire properties currently falling in this band | 2024/25 Annual Increase | 2024/25 Total amount per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | 16.7% | £8.67 | £193.14 |
| Band B | 19.8% | £10.11 | £225.33 |
| Band C | 25.2% | £11.56 | £257.52 |
| Band D | 15.7% | £13.00 | £289.71 |
| Band E | 10.6% | £15.89 | £354.09 |
| Band F | 6.5% | £18.78 | £418.47 |
| Band G | 4.8% | £21.67 | £482.85 |
| Band H | 0.6% | £26.00 | £579.42 |
You can check which Council Tax band your household is in at the Gov.uk website. Data on the number of properties per band is from February 2022.
How Warwickshire Police's budget is funded
In 2024/25 the Warwickshire police budget will be funded from three different sources:
- Central government grants: £67.988 million
- Reserves: £0.629 million
- Council Tax: £64.527 million.
How is the money spent?
In 2024/25 we plan to spend £163.954 million before income and use of reserves. The gross expenditure on police services has increased by £16.434 million compared with 2023/24. Our net budget requirement is £133.144 million.
| 2023/24 Spending (£m) |
2024/25 Spending (£m) |
2024/25 Cost for each person (£) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditure on police services | 147.520 | 163.954 | 274.73 |
| Income | -21.523 | -30.810 | -51.63 |
| Total cost of service | 125.997 | 133.144 | 223.11 |
| Transfer from reserves | -0.810 | -0.629 | -1.05 |
| Our net budget requirement | 125.187 | 132.515 | 222.05 |
| Police grant | -38.352 | -41.450 | -69.46 |
| Revenue support grant | -20.952 | -21.383 | -35.83 |
| Council tax support grant | -3.910 | -3.910 | -6.55 |
| Council tax freeze grant | -1.245 | -1.245 | -2.09 |
| Local tax income guarantee funding | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.00 |
| Local Council Tax Support Grant funding | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.00 |
| Council Tax funding | -60.728 | -64.527 | -108.13 |
Capital spending
We plan £10.625 million of capital spending in 2024/25. This is funded in the following ways:
| Capital spending | £m |
|---|---|
| Capital receipts | 2.475 |
| Revenue contributions | 2.433 |
| S106 funding | 0.359 |
| Specific grants | 0.000 |
| Reserves | 0.000 |
| Borrowing | 5.358 |
| Total spend/financing | 10.625 |
How the money has changed
Our net budget has increased by £7.328 million.
| Item | £m |
|---|---|
| Our net budget requirement 2023/23 | 125.187 |
| Savings | -1.206 |
| Income changes | -9.287 |
| Inflation, pressures and service changes | 18.631 |
| Movement in reserves | -0.181 |
| Our net budget requirement 2023/24 | 132.515 |
