Sent out on behalf of Hertfordshire Police Authority

Dear Colleague

As is usual for this time of year, the Police Authority has started to review its policing priorities and to consider the level of Council Tax that it will set next year in order to deliver them.

However, this year, the decisions and choices that we face are such that we have decided to consult more widely and using an online survey to make it easier to give feedback.

The Policing Pledge will continue to feature in the Plan and initial considerations indicate that we need to continue our focus on the six ‘Red Lines’:

· Reduce the most serious violent, organised and acquisitive crimes

· Protect vulnerable people, including victims of sexual offences

· Bring more serious offenders to justice

· Improve public confidence and satisfaction in the police services

· Increase people’s feelings of safety

· Reduce anti-social behaviour, including alcohol-related disorder

However, it has become clear from calls made to the police (about 60,000 a year) and from feedback we receive direct from the public, that anti-social behaviour is taking on greater prominence across the county. The same is true of inconsiderate motoring, including dangerous or obstructive parking, speeding, particularly in residential areas, and other inconsiderate or dangerous practices, such as the use of mobile phones whilst driving.

Concerns about the levels of rural crime have also been raised, although this is more particularly related to North and East Herts.

We, therefore, need to consider whether these issues should be given a higher priority in the Policing Plan and, if they are, how best to ensure that the Constabulary are able to meet the challenges they will present. Particularly since our current thinking is to retain and, as far as possible, avoid increasing the total number of targets and measures set in the Plan for 31 March 2011, unless there is significant evidence to support a revision.

We shall, therefore, be consulting on three alternative levels of Council Tax increase – 1.5%, 5% and 15%. The 15% option may surprise some partners given the current economic conditions.

The Authority believes that Hertfordshire currently receives a good standard of policing from, what is, one of the top performing forces in the country. This has been delivered through effective and efficient management of the Force and the availability of the necessary resources to deliver a good service.

Over the past few years, we have been using our reserves to cushion the blow caused by funding formula restrictions imposed on our Home Office grants. This year, Hertfordshire Police Authority had £3.7m of its Government grant withheld and it has just been informed that this shortfall is likely to increase to £4.1m next year, with the real possibility of this getting worse in future years.

The Authority and the Force have responded with increased efficiency savings – £17.5m over the last five years – enabling the Authority to keep the annual increase in Council Tax to below five per cent. Hertfordshire now has a Band D precept level that is 12% below the average for shire forces. For example a Band D council tax payer in the county currently pays £142.82 a year for policing whilst in Surrey a Band D resident would pay an extra £55.

We now face the certain prospect of central funding being reduced, bringing with it the real possibility of significant cuts to police services over the next three years.

The Audit Commission awarded the Authority the highest grade for efficiency and Value for Money in each of the last three years and, this year, it was one of only two forces in the country to achieve this grade.

The Authority wishes to gauge the opinion of the public about their willingness to pay more for their local policing. Clearly, any outcome will be an important part of the Authority’s final considerations along with issues such as capping risks and any improved indication regarding Government’s intention for police funding over the next few years.

A link to our online survey will be distributed to around 20,000 Hertfordshire residents via e-mail. We shall also be publicising the consultation through the local media. We would be grateful if you would complete the survey and circulate it to all your members and staff within your organisations. It can be accessed via the home page of our website – www.hertspa.org – or via the following direct link:

https://www.hertsdirect.org/websurveys/surveys/RWUHVQ

Also, if any partner organisations would be willing to allow the Police Authority to have a front page link from their own websites this would be very much appreciated. If so, could partners please contact Emily Anderson (01992 55562, emily.anderson.hpa@herts.pnn.police.uk) who will make arrangements for a link to be provided.

A copy of our current Policing Plan is also available on our website.

Thank you for your continued support in making Hertfordshire one of the safest counties in England and Wales.

Stuart Nagler DL JP
Chair
Hertfordshire Police Authority