Decision Reference Number: WPC3-0124
Lead Officer: Sara Ansell
Chief Officer approval: N/A
Date: 26/02/2024
Status: Non-confidential
Decision summary:
To allocate 2024/25 funding to Community Safety Partnerships (CSP’s), to address Police and Crime Plan priorities and in recognition of the important and integral role CSP’s play in providing local solutions to local issues of crime and disorder.
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: P.Seccombe
Date: 26/02/2024
Supporting information
1. Background information
The process for allocating CSP funding was last reviewed in 2022/23, when the former historical allocations of funding were replaced by a bidding process. It had been hoped that this would encourage a more holistic approach to delivering interventions, resulting in improved outcomes. However, the changes have not fully achieved the anticipated benefits and based on feedback and recent discussions with CSP representatives, the process for allocating and accessing funding has again been reviewed for 2024/25.
The intention for the coming financial year is to allocate each CSP direct funding of £30,000 per Local Authority area covered, to deliver projects that meet local community safety priorities. To access this funding, CSP leads must submit a project proposal for approval by the OPCC.
In addition to the above, a further £25,000 of funding will be made available to support projects that address cross-cutting issues affecting all CSPs. This central fund will be held by the OPCC until such time as a project is proposed and supported by the county Community Safety Officer Group (CSOG), which is chaired by a CSP lead on a rotating basis. CSOG will agree a lead organisation for the project, who will be responsible for submitting a proposal on behalf of all CSPs for approval by the OPCC.
The above arrangements will result in total available funding for CSPs in 2024/25 of £175,000. This is an increase in CSP funding compared to 2023/24.
The window for submitting proposals against either funding pot will be kept open until the end of quarter three, i.e. 31st December 2024. This will give CSPs significant freedom as to how and when project proposals are submitted for approval. CSPs can choose to prepare and submit proposals in one batch to meet the full £30,000 allocation, or stagger submissions throughout the year until 31st December 2024. This provides flexibility to be reactive and fluid to changing needs, or better manage staff workloads. Either approach is acceptable.
The OPCC will support and work positively with CSP leads and once received, staff will aim to approve project submissions as swiftly as possible.
Although the project submission window will be kept open until 31st December 2024, all spending on projects is for the financial year 2024/25 only and there will be no opportunity to carry forward spend beyond the 31st March 2025.
2. List of additional information attached as appendices
3. Expected benefits
To support strong partnership working by ensuring that each CSP receives certainty regarding PCC funding for 2024/25, to enable them to plan and deliver projects and local interventions that deliver Police and Crime Plan priorities and address local issues in relation to crime and disorder.
4. Impact of not approving the application
The PCC will not allocate any funding to CSP’s in 2024/25, or the process of allocating funding will be delayed, potentially leaving some local issues unaddressed and Police and Crime Plan priorities unfulfilled.
5. Costs (including any identified savings)
A revenue budget of up to £175,000 for CSP funding will be made available in the 2024/25 OPCC budget.
6. Equality considerations
All project submissions should be equality impact assessed by CSP’s.
7. Legal comments
The process will be subject to strong governance arrangements. Terms and conditions will be issued to CSP’s for approved projects, and purchase orders will be raised. Invoices must be submitted by the CSP on a quarterly in arrears basis.
8. Social or Environmental considerations
All project submissions by CSP’s should consider social and environmental considerations.
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, the information contained in the form will be published on the Warwickshire PCC website.
Comments from the Treasurer
Project submissions will be fully evaluated by the Office for approval to ensure that they meet the theme of prevention and diversion and Police and Crime Plan priorities. Total funding of £175,000 will be made available in the OPCC 2024/25 budget. OPCC staff will work closely with CSP leads to facilitate the process.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
This approach to CSP funding allocations should offer value for money, reduced bureaucracy and equality of access to partners. The projects designed should deliver on the ground benefits to issues identified by CSPs.
