North Wales Residents Asked to Share Views on Policing Budget amid Council Tax Precept Rise Speculation

North Wales residents are being asked to share views on how much should be spent on policing – amid speculation of a potential council tax precept rise.
Around half the money for the police budget in North Wales comes from the UK Government but the rest is generated by a precept on Council Tax.
The amount  paid depends on the precept levied by Police and Crime Commissioners.
From today, the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin is asking how much are residents prepared to pay for  policing.
After the survey ends, on January 7, the results will be studied and Mr Dunbobbin will propose the level of precept to the Police and Crime Panel at a meeting on 29 January, 2024.
The amount paid will change in April, at the start of the coming financial year 2024/25
It is thought likely that an increase of £21.78 in the precept may be needed just to create a standstill budget for the coming year – with no cuts.
Since 2010,  North Wales Police says it has already made savings totalling £42.799m.
In the consultation, the public are also being encouraged to rate policing, locally and generally, and described what policing priorities they would like to see.
The online and paper survey which launched today (Monday, November 27) closes on January 7.
After the results are analysed, proposals over the level of precept will be made by Mr Dunbobbin to the Police and Crime Panel meeting on January 29, 2024.
Conscious of “current pressures on household budgets” the Commissioner says he is keen to know “what level of council tax increase residents would support?”
He  said: “As a husband and father, and as someone who still lives in the heart of the community I grew up in, I know that people’s safety and security are paramount. I also know how much pressure families and people are under generally today.
“We all depend on – and should help – each other, wherever and whenever we can. But the safety and security of our neighbourhoods depend on an effective and well-funded Police Service.
“Wherever I travel in North Wales, from Anglesey, to Wrexham, Llanrwst, Pwllheli and Barmouth, I know how much people value the work of North Wales Police and its officers and staff.
“But this valuable work comes at a cost, and it is my duty on the behalf of residents, to work out what this cost should be.  I need local residents to help inform my decision.
“I would urge the people of North Wales to join in my consultation and tell me what they are willing, and able, to pay to fund policing in our community.”
As well as the Police, the money raised via Council Tax also enables the PCC to  fund other services including supporting victims of crime, and also offenders, with schemes helping to reduce re-offending.
Examples include DASU, RASASC, and Gorwel which provide support to victims of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. Checkpoint Cymru aims to tackle underlying causes of offending behaviour such as mental health and substance misuse.
The consultation and survey are bilingual, in Welsh and English, Easy Read, and print copies are available at libraries and police stations.
Police and Crime Commissioner office representative will also be available at locations across North Wales.
Get the survey at:
Welsh: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/praesept23_schth
English: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/opcc_precept23
Or visit during the consultation www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk. For a paper copy by post by contact:
Email: OPCC@northwales.police.uk
Phone: 01492 805486
Post: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales, Police Headquarters. Glan y Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​