PCC John Campion is focused on delivering for the communities of West Mercia after securing backing for his precept proposal.
At the Police and Crime Panel today (Wednesday 5th February), the PCC presented his plan to increase the council tax element for policing and his budget proposals for 2025/26. The Panel backed this proposal, which will see taxpayers who live in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire pay, on average, £14 more per year for policing and victim services.
The PCC has, since the government’s settlement was announced in December, expressed concern around the financial challenges West Mercia Police will face as a result of funding shortfalls from Government funding and lack of clarity in how some of that funding can be spent.
PCC John Campion said: “I am working through my long-term plan to improve how safe our communities are and feel. Crime continues to fall, but not everyone in West Mercia feels the benefit of that. I will therefore continue to ensure our communities’ additional hard-earned money will be directed towards what matters most to them. We have faced some unavoidable and unpalatable decisions; however, the public have remained at the heart. Together the Chief Constable and I have ensured that efficiencies, and tough choices, are being made and we are delivering on the communities’ priorities.
“I am grateful to the councillors, who make up the panel, for their support and it will enable me to finalise the budget and ensure the force and victim services, across West Mercia, are set up to deliver for our communities.”
