THE number of police community support officers (PCSOs) in Somerset will fall over the next 12 months – despite a significant rise in income from council tax bills.
The Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel voted in Taunton on Thursday 1st February to approve a higher-than-expected rise in the police’s proportion of council tax bills. The rise – an additional £13 a year, or 25p a week, for the average property – will enable Avon and Somerset Constabulary to retain its newly recruited police officers in light of pay rises and other inflationary pressures.
But in order to balance the books, the force will cut back-room staff and stop recruiting PCSOs for a year – meaning there will be around 80 fewer PCSOs on duty by March 2025.
The panel, which comprises councillors from across the Avon and Somerset area, was originally recommended to approve a £10 increase for an average (band D) property, citing the ongoing pressures on household finances during the cost-of-living crisis.
Paul Butler, chief financial officer to police and crime commissioner Mark Shelford, said in his written report, “Avon and Somerset not only achieved our agreed uplift target of 456 additional officers, bringing the officer headcount to 3,291, but also was able to recruit and maintain an additional 40 officers to support the national target.
“These levels are mandated as part of the funding settlement, and this restricts the financial and structural options available to the force when planning for the future.
“Most households in our area (68%) fall within bands A to C, and therefore are subject to a smaller annual increase than the band D headline; however, the impact of the financial crisis is also felt across those households.”
However, chief constable Sarah Crew insisted that a £13 increase, the maximum currently permitted under UK law, was essential to ensure the newly recruited officers could be properly supported.
In a letter to Mark Shelford, published before the panel meeting, she said, “We are both aware of the financial pressures on household budgets. These financial pressures are also a stark reality for public services, including policing.
“We’ve delivered our increase in police officer numbers with growing pains. Despite a lack of officer experience, we’re beginning to see evidence of improvement. But those green shoots are delicate and will only flourish with full delivery of our uplift design, strong leadership and careful nurture.
“Leadership drives culture and I firmly believe that a strong culture will deliver positive outcomes for our communities.”
In order to retain all the new police officers, the constabulary plans to make numerous savings – including other front-line officers. The force will pause recruiting PCSOs for the next 12 months – a move which is expected to result in the number of serving PCSOs dropping by around 80 by the end of the next financial year.
Sarah Crew said PCSO numbers had been protected for ten years, with cuts being made elsewhere, and they were “no longer able to sustain these numbers”.
Around 86 police staff investigator posts will also be cut, along with 36 back-room staff – with the latter proposal expected to save around £2m. After three hours of discussion, the panel agreed to a revised budget with the £13 rise in council tax for an average property.
Speaking after the decision, councillor Heather Shearer (who chairs the panel), said: “Our approval is contingent on several concerns being addressed including evidence that the extra investment is making a tangible difference.
“It is essential that the panel and the public can accurately judge the commissioner’s performance against the priorities and objectives in his police and crime plan. The additional investment from the precept increase has to deliver real improvements in the service available to local communities. We will continue to press for this assurance.”
Mark Shelford will be standing for re-election in the police and crime commissioner elections due to take place on 2nd May.
– By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby
