The Police and Crime Commissioner is looking for your help in setting the 2023/2024 budget for Cheshire Police:
I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. I want to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for 2023.
It’s at this time of year that attention turns towards setting the police budget for the coming financial year, and I’m getting in touch today to let you know that I have set up a survey for Cheshire residents to tell me about their priorities and their views on the police precept.
Please do let me know if you require any paper copies of the survey or any assistance with accessibility requirements.
The backdrop this budget is being set against is undoubtedly more challenging than last year. I know that the cost of living is affecting families and businesses and it’s no different for the police too, with inflation adding nearly £14 million to our costs. The Constabulary has worked hard to identify savings through priority-based budgeting and has managed to close the funding gap by £6.7 million.
Despite these challenges, there is a real determination to protect the progress made over the past year and in recent months, including reductions in 101 and 999 call answer times, reductions in attendance times for both emergency and non-emergency incidents, and an increase in arrest and charge rates.
I know residents will expect us to maintain any improved levels of service. That’s why it’s important for me to get as many people’s views as possible and I would be grateful if you’d join me in sharing this survey with residents and throughout your networks.
If you have any questions about the budget or any local policing issues to raise with me then please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and I look forward to working with you throughout 2023.
