Police and Crime Commissioner responds to grant settlement for Sussex Police

Sussex Police’s grant from central Government ‘looks to be broadly in line’ with the Chancellor’s Spending Review announcements made last month.
Katy Bourne Sussex Police and Crime CommissionerKaty Bourne Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner
Katy Bourne Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner

In his Autumn Statement George Osborne said there would be no further cuts to police budgets.

More detail of the police grant settlement was given to Parliament today (Thursday December 17).

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Katy Bourne, Sussex’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “The grant looks to be broadly in line with the Chancellor’s Spending Review announcement that there would be no further cuts to police budgets. It also confirms increased flexibility for PCCs to raise local funding contributions through the police precept.

“The Chief Constable will be considering the impact of the funding announcement on current plans and presenting options to me in January.

“Whilst it is too early to speculate on the flexibility that might deliver on planned savings, we both agree that the current model of policing needs to adapt to modern challenges, at the same time as it faces significant new costs.

“Increases in national insurance, pay and pensions will impact the force next year. These are not accommodated within the level of funding announced today, which is why there will still be a savings requirement of £11m for the year ahead, and up to £30m by 2020.

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“However, the Chief Constable assures me that Sussex Police is well prepared for these operational and financial challenges.

“I welcome the policing minister’s confirmation of extra resources for counter terrorism and for specialist firearms officers, and I am also pleased to see the commitment to a Police Transformation Fund that will support forces to embrace and exploit technology.

“Recognising that we have made good progress thus far, it’s clear that we need to invest more in digital forensic technology and skills, and in protecting children and vulnerable people from abuse.

“That is why I am currently consulting with Sussex residents to explore their appetite to pay more through their council tax to support these critical areas.”

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