A renewed call to MPs to ‘ensure that the money goes where it really it matters—on front-line policing—rather than wasting millions on creating new structures which are not needed or wanted’ has come today from the Chair of Cleveland Police Authority.
Councillor Dave McLuckie was speaking after Members of Authority had been warned that the funding announcement by the Government this week—meaning a real terms reduction of £17million for Cleveland over the next two years—poses a ‘significant risk’ to maintaining services.
A report from Authority Treasurer Michael Porter explained that the total of Government grants, which stand at £105.877million in the current financial year, will fall to £100.586million next year—a reduction of 5.5 per cent—and to £93.976million the following year, a further reduction of 6.6 per cent.
Although the cash cuts over the two years total nearly £12million, Mr Porter warned that in real terms—in other words when factors such as inflation are taken into account—the reduction will be nearer £17million and that the settlement ‘provides a real risk to the Authority not only in terms of its ability to protect front-line policing and maintain service levels but also in terms of setting a legal budget over the next two years.’
Said Councillor McLuckie “The message faced by Authority members today—and which faces everyone in the area—is very stark. I have made clear that we will move heaven and earth to protect front-line services, but nobody should be under the impression that, as the cuts bite deeper and deeper, the threats will grow greater and greater.
“I am sure that the overwhelming majority of the public support the approach we have adopted in Cleveland that resources should go where it really matters...providing front-line policing protecting people on their street, in their homes and communities. It is that approach which has ensured that crime in Cleveland is at a record low and we have one of the best-performing forces in the country.
“I am also sure that the public will find it equally unacceptable that, at a time when it is crystal clear that—in common with every other authority and force in the country—we will have to face cuts in overall officer numbers, the Government, at the same time as imposing the severest cuts we have ever faced, is planning to spend millions and millions on structural changes which will do nothing to improving policing...and in fact are likely to create chaos and confusion.
“The Policing Minister has stated this week that he has set aside £50million just for the first round of elections of the so-called Police and Crime Commissioners—and that is just the tip of the iceberg. We are told that the Commissioners will be paid £122,000 a year and, of course, there will be the costs of providing the substantial support structure they will need to meet the needs of huge populations and, in many cases, huge areas.
“The bill will not end there—the costs of setting up and supporting the proposed Police and Crime Panels will add yet more millions.
“I have written to all our local Members of Parliament urging them to call for a rethink on imposing this bureaucratic upheaval in the midst of the worst financial difficulties we have ever faced. The facts are that every pound spent on this ill-considered plan—for which there is no real evidence of public support— would be a pound less available for providing a police service for their constituents.”
The Authority will meet with local MPs before finalising its budget plans in February and will also hold consultation events with local stakeholders, businesses and staff association.