£2million reserves prop up police budget, Commissioner tells panel

OVER £2million had to be taken out of reserves to prop up the police budget, the Dyfed Powys Commissioner has stated.

The Commissioner was being questioned by members of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel at their recent meeting.

The budget was part of his annual report, which was discussed at the meeting, where Mr Llywelyn explained why the precept had to increase by 6.9% this year.

“It wasn’t a popular political decision to make.” Mr Llywelyn said. “I made that decision based on the options. In excess of £2million of reserves had to be used to prop up the revenue budget, due to the past Police and Crime Commissioner cutting the precept by 5% and then freezing it the following year.”

At the time of making the case for an increase in precept, the Commissioner committed to reinvesting in CCTV across the four counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys. 

He also told the Panel he had an ambitious estates programme planned for the next three years, which would bring police buildings up to required standard and reduce extensive maintenance costs, and he reiterated his commitment to fight for a fair funding formula from Dyfed-Powys Police.

Panel Chair Cllr Alun Lloyd Jones questioned the level of reserves used, and the percentage remaining.

Members were told they would be given a full update on the financial position at a seminar to be held at Dyfed-Powys Police HQ on September 11.

The induction seminar for the new Police and Crime Panel will include an overview from Chief Constable Mark Collins of operational policing matters, finance, commissioned services and an input on the Commissioner’s scrutiny activity, including an introduction to his volunteer schemes.

The Panel voted unanimously to accept the annual report.