Decision Title: 2022/23 Precept proposal
Decision Reference Number: WPCC3-0035
Lead Officer: Sara Ansell, Treasurer
If force business, date approved by Chief Officer: N/a
Date: 24 January, 2022
Status: Non Confidential
Decision summary:
This Decision Notice provides notice of the formal consideration for the setting of the precept for the financial year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.
The Commissioner is required to propose a precept to the Police and Crime Panel by no later than the 1 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.
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: 27 January 2022
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.
In setting the proposed precept the Commissioner has had regard to public responses and those of Council Tax payer representatives. These have been summarised in the accompanying report.
2. List of additional information attached as appendices
Proposed budget and precept report to the Police and Crime Panel, dated 27 January 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 are included within the attached report as presented to the Police and Crime Panel on the 27th January 2022. 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.
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 issue of proposing a precept is a necessary stage in finalising the precept for 2022/23, which will be used to support the Commissioner’s budget for the period 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023. All the relevant budget and precept information that has been considered as part of this process is included within the report to the Police and Crime Panel which accompanies this decision notice.
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 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.
