Budget reductions - Consultation Meetings and What does the CSR mean for North Yorkshire Police
The county council, along with partners including the police, will be staging a series of consultation evenings in market towns across the county this month (November). Members of the public are urged to attend, to find out what kind of impact the cuts could have on services, and to register their views on the proposals.
"These events will be an opportunity for members of the public to have a direct input into the decision-making process," said Richard Flinton, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire County Council.
Jeremy Holderness, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Police Authority said: "British policing is based on the premise that policing is a partnership between the people and the Police. As the Police services face up to the spending problems of the next few years, it is vital that the public are part of the solution to those problems. The public's input to our decision making is vital."
The council and its partners will provide information at the sessions, but the main aim is to allow residents to raise spending issues that concern them.
The roadshows will be held on the following dates at the following venues. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEETING DUE TO BE HELD IN SELBY ON THURSDAY 25 NOVEMBER HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
| Date | Time | Town | Venue | Partners |
| 4 Nov | 1830 | Scarborough | Scarborough Library, Thirsk Road | Police Authority, Police |
| 9 Nov | 1830 | Malton | Council Chamber, Ryedale House | Police Authority, Police, Ryedale District Council |
| 10 Nov | 1830 | Skipton | Skipton Town Hall | Police Authority, Police, Craven District Council |
| 18 Nov | 1830 | Richmond | Swale Room, The Station | Police Authority, Police |
| 23 Nov | 1830 | Harrogate | Harrogate Library, Victoria Avenue | Police Authority, Police |
| 25 Nov | 1830 | Selby | Community House, Portholme Road | *** CANCELLED *** |
What does the Comprehensive Spending Review mean for North Yorkshire Police?
Nationally:
Central government funding for policing (nationally) will reduce by 20% in real terms by 2014/15 - from £9.7bn to £8.5bn which could mean spending reductions of 14% over the period when local Council Tax rises are taken into account.
The real term decreases in funding will be staggered across the life of the comprehensive spending review period with the following being taken in the relevant years:
- 6% - 2011/12
- 8% - 2012/13
- 4% - 2013/14
- 4% - 2014/15
We believe that counter terrorism funding will reduce by only 10% over this period and the budget for policing the Olympics in 2012 will be safeguarded meaning that the actual amount allocated for local police funding and applicable for the 20% reduction will be less than the baseline budget of £9.7bn.
We also believe that funding reductions will not fall equally across all 43 Police Authorities in England and Wales.
Locally:
We won't be informed of the local funding settlements until early December; possibly 3rd and so no absolute decision can be taken until then.
Prior to the CSR, the Authority with the Chief Constable and his team were working on the assumption of a 25% reduction - for various reasons, we still are, possibly in following ratios:
- 6.81% - 2011/12
- 9.09% - 2012/13
- 4.55% - 2013/14
- 4.55% - 2014/15
The Force's current revenue budget, as set by North Yorkshire Police Authority is £139.7m, with the above reductions in funding we anticipate this to reduce to £118.6m in 2014/15. This equates to a reduction in police spending in North Yorkshire and the City of York of £21.1m over the next 4 years.
We are mindful of the aspiration of the Coalition Government to set a 0% increase in Council Tax for 2011/12, which would ensure an additional 2.5% grant being awarded to us in that year. Our financial document that monitors spend and projection is called the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), and even prior to the CSR being announced it had assumed that there would be no council tax increase until 2013/14.
Obviously the MTFP will be updated when more information is available and the two year council tax 'freeze' may need to be revisited in light of the projected large funding reduction in 2012/13.
We will keep you updated as we know more.
