Warwickshire Police Authority

27 March 2008

Warwickshire Police Authority has been notified today by the Government that their budget will be capped.

The Police Authority increased its share of the Council Tax bill by 12.87%, above the Government's guideline increase of 5%. However, as the Police Authority share is a relatively small proportion of the bill, bills across Warwickshire have increased overall by no more than 5%.

Police Authority Chair Phil Blundell commented:

"We are disappointed by today's announcement, and over the coming weeks we shall be seeking to demonstrate to the Government that the budget we set is prudent and not profligate.

"We have made a number of what we considered to be critical investments in new services over the last two years which we have funded from our reserves. These investments have resulted in a significant improvement in performance over the last year, such that Warwickshire is one of, if not the fastest improving Police Force. We remain confident that, once we present our case to Government, they will recognise that these investments in services have been essential to safeguarding the people of Warwickshire, and should not be undone."

The Police Authority will now have 20 days to make its case to the Government, which will then decide whether to allow the increase, reduce the budget and require rebilling of council taxpayers, or limit the increase in the following year's budget.