PCC campaigns for 'fairer' police funding

Minister for Policing, Chris Philp, with Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry.

The campaign for a “fairer” police funding formula from the Government was taken to the top level by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry.

In a meeting in Parliament last week with the Minister for Policing, Chris Philp, Commissioner Henry outlined why the current system of central funding did not properly recognise Nottinghamshire Police’s demand and demographic challenges.

It comes as the Government will soon be embarking on a consultation involving all 43 police forces across England and Wales on how to create a funding formula that more accurately reflects the needs of each force.

In Nottinghamshire, around two thirds of the force’s funding comes from the Government funding settlement, while around a third comes from the policing precept in the council tax, and a small proportion comes from reserves and income generation.

Commissioner Henry said her meeting with the Rt Hon Philp in Portcullis House was positive and constructive.

“Pound for pound Nottinghamshire Police does extremely well in making the most of every penny of funding – but it’s clear that we are not getting our fair share,” said Commissioner Henry.

“We are currently funded in a similar way to many mainly rural forces, and while we do have many rural areas in Nottinghamshire, we also have one of the UK’s 11 core cities, Nottingham, which has very high levels of deprivation which brings a complex set of policing challenges. The current funding formula does not recognise this.

“Demand also continues to rise, with 999 calls alone increasing by 15.6% in the last year compared to pre-pandemic levels. We do everything we can to be efficient and effective but I believe a fairer formala would help make Nottinghamshire Police even better equipped to cope with the demand we have.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire it is my duty to ensure that Nottinghamshire gets a fair deal when it comes to Government funding and I am taking every chance I can to represent my county by lobbying strongly at every opportunity.

“The meeting was positive and constructive, and I will continue to keep making Nottinghamshire’s voice heard during the consultation on the funding formula.”