PCC precept rejected

Councillors have urged a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to reconsider a proposed 6.5% precept increase, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.

County Durham and Darlington PCC Joy Allen has been told to reduce the proposed rise amid ongoing financial difficulties for residents. 

The Labour-elected PCC was granted powers to impose an additional £3.50 increase to the proposed £15 precept, meaning a Band D household would pay £18.50. Band A households would pay an additional £12 and Band H £37. 

Councillors were warned that not increasing the precept by the maximum amount could threaten policing services and risk the long-term financial viability of the force. 

The proposals were welcomed by residents, but some members of the cross-party Police and Crime Panel were not convinced.

The committee, made up of locally elected county councillors from County Durham and Darlington, alongside two independent public members, instead urged the PCC to limit the precept increase to £15 and write a letter to the Government seeking additional financial support. 

PCC Allen said this year’s budget has been drawn up against a backdrop of spiralling cost pressures and has repeatedly criticised a growing wealth divide between forces, which impacts deprived areas like County Durham and Darlington.

She told the committee: “This decision is not simply about a number on a council tax bill. It’s about whether we protect local policing or knowingly expose our local communities to avoidable cuts to frontline services. 

“The proposal strikes the fairest possible balance between affordability and the protection of services. It reflects what local people have told us they want.”

Durham Constabulary will receive £8.6 million from the government – a 4.8% increase on last year – but funding challenges remain. 

PCCs have a responsibility for setting force budgets, which determine the amount of council tax that goes towards policing for their area. Policing budgets are funded from central government funding and the amount local people pay towards policing through council tax.

Police forces with low tax bases, like Durham, have a higher proportion of Band A and B properties and are restricted in the revenue they can generate. 

PCC Allen added: “Despite an apparent increase in headline funding, the settlement for 2026/27 does not meet real cost pressures facing Durham Constabulary. 

“Even with the maximum standard precept increase, the force faces significant financial risk. Without additional flexibility, the consequences are unavoidable and could lead to reduced PCSOs and police staff, reduced neighbourhood visibility, and increased reliance on reserves, which is neither sustainable nor responsible.”

Although more officers have been recruited in the past year, Durham Constabulary remains 119 officers short of 2010 levels. 

Councillor Robbie Roddis, Reform member for Crook, said: “It pains me to hear how Durham has been stuffed, once again. 

“It seems that this Government is pushing more costs onto the public and It’s the people of County Durham that have to pay.”

His concerns were supported by Reform colleague and committee chair, Cllr Robert Potts, who warned it would be “morally unfair” to put the increase onto people throughout County Durham and Darlington. 

Despite the concerns over the increased costs for residents, Darlington Conservative Cllr Gerald Lee said it would be “foolish” not to take the PCC’s advice. “We don’t want to see the precept go up but the police are our security and to add more pain to their responsibilities is fundamentally wrong,” he added. 

A five per cent increase was approved last year and PCC Allen said residents favoured paying additional funds to ensure local policing isn’t “hollowed out”. 

But the committee did not agree with the exceptional increase. Liberal Democrat Councillor Ellie Hopgood said: “I am in favour of the precept but there has got to be a limit on the pressure we are putting on residents.”