South Wales Police Authority has set the 2010/11 budget as £257.3million– an increase of 3.5%.
The police element of council tax has increased by 5% – or £7.32 per year for a Band D household. This means the total amount a Band D household pays is £153.67, or 42p per day for a 24 hour, seven days a week police service.
Why have we increased the budget?
Setting the budget is always tough, and a question of balance. We asked for the publics views, and of nearly 1300 people who took part, there was a wide difference in opinion as to how much extra council tax should be asked for. Of those who answered, 43% felt that it should be between 2% and 4%, with 37% of people supporting an increase of 5% and over.
We also look to make efficiency savings each year, to ensure that we provide value for money and continue good service. Our achieved and projected cashable efficiencies since 2000 to 2011/12 amounts to some £35 million. Our forecasted General Reserve of 1.72% of budget is well below the 3% recommendation by the Wales Audit Office.
Safer South Wales
Despite these pressures, we continue to work hard to keep South Wales safe. The total number of crimes recorded from April 2009 to January 2010 fell by 11,656 – which means there were 38 fewer victims of crime every day. As well as this, confidence in your local police has increased by nearly 8% in six months – from 39% to 46.9%, which is the biggest increase of any force in Wales and England. These performance figures show that crime is going down, whilst confidence in the police is going up.
The Authority and Force are proud of the continuing decrease in crime levels, and will work together with our communities and partners to make sure that this is maintained.
What you will pay each year
How will the money be spent?