County Durham and Darlington’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has defied calls from concerned councillors and approved a 6% precept increase, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Households throughout the region will see the policing element of their council tax bills rise.
The increase amounts to 24p a week for Band A properties and 28p a week for Band B properties, which cover 80% of households across County Durham and Darlington.
Joy Allen was urged to reconsider her proposal by cross-party members of the region’s Police and Crime Panel after they warned that the rise is too much for residents.
But the Labour-elected PCC said it is needed to protect frontline policing and safeguard police officer numbers.
At a meeting earlier this week, councillors were told a £15 increase would be insufficient and would result in a real-terms cut to policing, forcing greater reliance on reserves and putting frontline services at risk.
The PCC was granted powers to impose an additional £3.50 increase to the £15 precept in response to the concerns over the force’s future.
Ms Allen said the precept rise will generate around £3.5 million in 2026/27, and without it, the force would face a projected £6.5 million funding gap next year alone.
The proposals were welcomed by residents, but some members of the cross-party Police and Crime Panel were not convinced. Councillors raised concerns over the amount of funding given to Durham Constabulary from the government and the extra pressure it would put on people’s pockets.
Ms Allen was told to reduce the increase to just £15. But the panel’s recommendation was criticised by the PCC.
She said: “For the sake of a few pence a week, the panel chose politics over people and policing priorities.
“These proposals were presented clearly and professionally, and the consequences of rejecting the funding were explained. To ignore that advice is to ignore the reality of policing on the ground.”
Durham Constabulary will receive £8.6 million from the government – a 4.8% increase on last year – but funding challenges remain. Although more officers have been recruited in the past year, Durham Constabulary remains 119 officers short of 2010 levels.
“I recognise that households are under financial pressure, and I do not underestimate that,” the PCC said. “But freezing the precept does not freeze costs — it cuts policing.
“This decision strikes the fairest possible balance between affordability and public safety. It reflects what local people have told me they want, and it protects the services they rely on.”
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
