Council tax rise confirmed as Wiltshire Police budget approved
The amount we'll pay towards policing will increase by 5.2% from April
It's been confirmed that council tax in Wiltshire will rise in April this year after Wiltshire Police's budget proposals were given the green light.
The Police and Crime Panel has approved the budget, which includes a 5.2% increase in the police element of council tax with a Band D household will now pay £14 extra this year.
But the Force still needs to make up to £6.8 million in savings.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson thanked the cross-party panel for putting aside political difference to approve a 'desperately needed' budget.
However, the PCC said he's still having to ask Chief Constable Catherine Roper to do more with less.
He said: "I am asking her to improve the policing service in Wiltshire, asking them to be more visible and effective with less than the majority of Chief Constables across the country."#
The go-ahead on the budget follows figures being released that certain crime types are decreasing in the county and emergency call response times improving.
"But all of this comes at a cost and that is why I have had to ask for the maximum increase," Mr Wilkinson said.
The Force has committed to protecting officer numbers and keeping public access points, such as police stations, open, despite the funding gap.
It also comes just days after a government announcement to release an additional £100m, on top of a promised £100m, to be invested in neighbourhood policing – outside of core funding.
The PCC cautioned against thinking this was going to change the financial reality for Wiltshire Police’s budget over the medium term.
Mr Wilkinson added: “While additional investment in neighbourhood policing is welcome, this money cannot be used for ‘business as usual’. In reality it does not have a material effect on our budget or the need for Wiltshire Police to save £6.8m in the next financial year.
“Unfortunately, we appear to find ourselves in the position where the additional funding is the ‘icing on the cake’ without the government giving police Forces the core ingredients and funding they need to deliver the basics.
“But I look forward to receiving more detail about this in due course and bringing the additional money into Wiltshire if we can. We cannot put Wiltshire Police in the position where it recruits, equips and trains additional neighbourhood officers if we cannot fund them in future years due to the existing funding formula.”
Chief Constable reaction
Wiltshire Police's Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, has welcomed the endorsement of the budget too.
She said: “The approval of this budget and the increase in the policing element of the council tax, means the £11m funding gap we were facing is reduced to £6.8m for 2025/26.
“We’ve already identified £1.6m of this figure and work is underway to identify the further £5.2m via efficiencies, savings, rationalisation of our estate footprint and our vehicle numbers.
“Notwithstanding these financial challenges, the PCC and I both remain absolutely committed to continuing to make significant improvements to our service - ensuring Wiltshire Police becomes one of the most effective and efficient forces in the country.
“We are already seeing increased outcome rates for victims, falling crime rates and improvements in our visibility within our communities.”