Freedom of Information

WARWICKSHIRE COUNCIL TAX 2010-2011

2010/11
Council Tax, Spending, Performance and Priorities explained.

A message from Chief Constable Keith Bristow

 

In the year ahead we, together with local communities and partners, will continue to deliver as much protection as possible to people who live, work or travel in Warwickshire.

In addition to protecting people from death, injury, loss and distress, we will continue to provide a policing service that is open, honest and accountable and which increases public confidence in us.

We will continue to focus on tackling those harms that are most serious – such as terrorism and extremism – and those harms that occur most often, such as anti-social behaviour.

We have enjoyed considerable success in arresting and charging members of organised crime groups whose activity impacts upon Warwickshire, as well as meeting those local priorities you have agreed with us at Community Forum meetings.

We will ensure that the resources made available to us are used efficiently and effectively to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads and as a result of crime; to deter and detect burglaries and to tackle violent behaviour.

We will seek effective partnerships and collaborations with partners and communities to ensure we provide the right services most efficiently. We are a safe county and we will work harder to further protect our communities during 2010.


Warwickshire Police is working to ensure people who live, work or travel in the county know how the force and partners are working together to protect them from harm.

Last year Warwickshire Police achieved the biggest reduction in violent crime of any force in the country. Here are some more performance figures that highlight our success.

We have:
• Reduced road deaths and serious injury by 12%*
• Reduced serious violent crime by 19%*
• Reduced robbery by 16%*
• Reduced homes burgled and vehicles stolen by 6%*
• Reduced vehicles broken into by 9%*

*Our performance in Jan - Dec 2009 compared to Jan - Dec 2008

Spending 2010/2011

This leaflet explains where the money comes from to fund Warwickshire Police Authority and how the Authority plans to spend that money over the coming financial year 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.

Day-to-day Spending

In 2010/11 we plan to spend £106.49 million before income and use of reserves. Our total day-to-day spending (net of fees, charges, specific grants, transfers and use of reserves) is £90.40 million, £2.32 million more than 2009/10.

How spending has changed

The chart below shows how the money is to be spent during 2010/2011.

Where the money comes from

The Police Authority’s budget requirement of £90.40 million is funded partly through government grants and business rates, and partly by direct precept on Warwickshire Council taxpayers. In 2010/11, central government funding accounts for 61% of total resources.

Your council tax

The council tax for Warwickshire Police Authority for properties in each valuation band is shown in the table below. This is an increase in council tax of 1.68%.

Workforce

The figures in the table above represent the planned workforce as at the 1st April 2010 excluding temporarily funded posts. The decrease in Police Officers and increase in Police Staff is the result of reviewing the Police Officers posts and, where it has been appropriate, developing these into roles that are now performed by Police Staff.

Capital spending

The Authority intends to spend £6.00 million on Police properties and £4.74 million on IT, vehicles and equipment. This is funded by borrowing, Government grant and the sale of Police properties. The Authority is also constructing a Southern Justice Centre in Leamington Spa, this is a joint project with our partners. The anticipated expenditure on the Southern Justice Centre in 2010/11 is £7.90m.

At 31 March 2009 the value of Police Authority Assets was £61.16 million and loans outstanding amounted to £15.30 million.

Efficiency

The Police Service has been set the target of achieving efficiency and productivity gains of 9.3% during the period 2008/09 to 2010/11. The following table shows the efficiency savings for 2008/09 and estimated efficiency savings for 2009/10.

Warwickshire Police is two years into a three-year efficiency and productivity programme and, to date, has achieved savings amounting to 73% of a three-year target of £9.3m set by the Police Authority.

In 2009/10, Warwickshire Police delivered efficiency savings through changing the way it responds to calls, reviewing police posts, and reducing waste in day-to-day expenditure.

Each year, police forces are assessed by the Audit Commission on their use of resources and given a score out of 4 (4 being ‘performing strongly’ and 1 being ‘inadequate performance’). In 2009/10, Warwickshire Police scored 3, recognising the continued strong value for money service delivered by the force.

This leaflet reflects Police Authority spending and funding only. County Council, borough/District and Parish spending is excluded.


All the work we, our partners and local communities are doing to protect people who live, work or travel in Warwickshire is paying off.

Local policing Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) operate in every community across Warwickshire and are dedicated to tackling crimes such as graffiti, anti-social behaviour and other local issues that impact upon the quality of people’s lives.

Teams, led by a Sergeant, include Police Constables, Police Community Support Officers, and Special Constables and are supported by volunteers. They work in partnership with communities and other agencies.

Your local team will:

• Agree local priorities

• Take action with communities and partners when necessary

• Update you on progress

You can talk to your local SNT in your community, at a Community Forum meeting or other local meetings and events.

Here is a flavour of some of the great initiatives that have taken place in your area. To read more, visit www.safer-neighbourhoods.co.uk or speak to your Safer Neighbourhoods officer.

In Rugby Borough

• 169 fewer homes burgled**

• 558 fewer vehicles broken into

Here are a couple of examples of how we are reducing crime in your area.

Successful anti-burglary patrols conducted by Rugby Town West SNT.

Rugby Town West SNT stopped over 60 individuals known to police when they conducted anti-burglary patrols in two vulnerable areas of New Bilton and Overslade. Over three evenings officers searched those stopped primarily for items that could be used in burglaries or drug related activities. Encouragingly there were no domestic burglaries reported during this time.

Rugby’s PubWatch scheme has significant impact on crime and alcohol related violence.

Members of Rugby PubWatch can now ban anyone who commits more than one alcohol related offence in the town centre. 130 warning letters have so far been issued to first time offenders informing them that re-offending will lead to a town centre ban. This proactive approach has lead to only three banning orders being issued.

In Warwick District

• Violent crime is down by 17%*

• 190 fewer vehicle crimes

Here are a couple of examples of how we are reducing crime in your area.

Safety presentations educate teenagers on the dangers of careless driving.

Students attending Trident Technology College in Whitnash have received positive young driver safety presentations, delivered by PCSO Sharon Underwood, from Whitnash SNT. Over two days, 52 students watched a hard-hitting short film showing the consequences of careless or dangerous driving. Students were presented with hard facts and safety advice and then asked to discuss. The intention is to reduce the number of under 21’s driving carelessly or dangerously.

New pedal cycles to provide new levels of response in Clarendon and Milverton.

North Leamington SNT were thrilled with the arrival of four new pedal cycles. The bikes, funded by the Community Forum, will, along with existing bikes, provide a new level of response by the team. Pedal cycles are more adaptable to the environment and intricate alleyways and roads.It is also easier for members of the public to approach officers on bikes.

In Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough

• Violent crime is down by 23%*

• 105 fewer homes burgled**

Here are a couple of examples of how we are reducing crime in your area.

SNTs assist in Operation Laser, helping cut through organised crime in Nuneaton and Bedworth.

A robust proactive initiative aimed at tackling organised crime and disrupting criminal activity in the area led to the arrest of 19 people. 14 homes of organised criminals were raided and arrests made in connection with conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Volunteers from the force delivered leaflets to every household in the local area explaining the aim of the operation.

Over 60s receive essential crime prevention advice

“How to keep your home safe and deal with bogus callers”, were among the topics covered during a crime prevention talk given to over 60s at The Salvation Army, Nuneaton. PCSOs Jade Badham and Sara Hunt also offered advice on personal safety and how to avoid telephone scams. Purse bells and security marker pens were given away to help attendees protect their property.

In North Warwickshire Borough

• Violent crime is down by 27%*

• 140 fewer vehicles broken into

Here are a couple of examples of how we are reducing crime in your area.

Green fingered pupils brighten up Kingsbury.

Jubilee Court has been transformed into an area the local community can be proud of by the actions of hardworking pupils from Kingsbury High School. Residents were delighted to find that dedicated pupils had worked with PCSOs to turn the area surrounding the community centre into something special, by planting flowers, plants and shrubs, during a community day.

Warning given to driver for driving illegally near woodland.

During a routine patrol PCSO Phil McGuiness saw a 4x4 vehicle being driven illegally around the woodland in Ansley Common. On spotting the approaching police car, the driver tried to hide the 4x4 in dense woodland but was not successful. The driver was issued with a Section 59 Warning for using his vehicle in an anti-social manner and told he risked his vehicle being crushed if caught using the woodland in this manner again.

Mar 08 - Mar 09, *Oct 06 - Sept 09, Mar 07 - Mar 09

In Stratford District

• Violent crime is down by 17%*

• 161 fewer vehicle crimes

Here are a couple of examples of how we are reducing crime in your area.

New Wellesbourne speed gun addresses community concerns.

Wellesbourne SNT were delighted to receive a new laser speed gun, funded by partners through the Community Forum, in response to public concerns over speeding in the area. This is an excellent example of how the police and other agencies tackle issues raised by local people at Community Forums.

Clamp down on underage drinking in town centre.

Alcohol was swiftly confiscated from several youths as part of a proactive clamp down of underage drinking in Stratford town centre. Youths were given a stern talking to about their behaviour and their details taken. The alcohol, ranging from single cans to a full crate of beer, was later destroyed.

Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse (WADA)

We are working together as Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse with over 30 other public services and voluntary organisations to tackle the harm caused by domestic abuse. If you or someone you know is affected by emotional, financial, physical or sexual abuse in Warwickshire: Freephone 0800 408 1552*

Visit www.talk2someone.org.uk

In an emergency, dial 999.

*PLEASE NOTE: Calls from most landlines are free and not itemised on bills. If in doubt, or you are calling from a mobile, please check with your telephone provider.

Useful telephone numbers and websites

All non-emergency calls: 01926 415 000

Emergencies: 999 or 112 and ask for police

Force website: www.warwickshire.police.uk

News and appeals: onlinenews.warwickshire.police.uk

Children and teenagers: www.wpthezone.co.uk

Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111

Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse: 0800 408 1552

www.talk2someone.org.uk

Safer Neighbourhoods:

www.safer-neighbourhoods.co.uk

Warwickshire Police Authority

Warwickshire Police Authority is responsible for the delivery of policing services in Warwickshire. We attend meetings with the public throughout the year and welcome questions, comments and suggestions. Details of how we plan to spend the police budget next year are contained in this leaflet. You can visit our website www.warwickshirepa.gov.uk or call us on 01926 412322 for more information.


For more details about the financial information in this leaflet or the police budget for 2010/11, please contact Jeff Carruthers on 01926 415000. This leaflet reflects Police Authority spending and funding only.