'No confidence' in Gloucestershire Police Authority

26th January 2012, 01:00

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The Gloucestershire Police Federation says it has 'no confidence' in the county's Police Authority.

The organisation has sent an "Open " letter to the Chairman of the Police Authority, Rob Garnham, informing him that they will debate a proposed motion at their next meeting:

"We have no confidence in our Police Authority to deliver their main statutory duty and responsibility, to secure and maintain an efficient and effective Police Force"

The Police Federation say they are now at the point where they do not want innocent members of the Communities of Gloucestershire to experience the reality of the continued cuts to Policing, imposed either directly or indirectly by Mr Cameron.

Chairman of the Gloucestershire Police Federation, Ian Anderson said

"Despite meeting with the Police Federation, the Authority's Chairman and Tory Party member, Rob Garnham, has failed to reassure Federation representatives, who represent all Police Officers up to the rank of Chief Inspector, that the authority will not renege on their own agreed budget, on which the Chief Constable has built his current model of Neighbourhood policing, and delivered the savings demanded of him. Instead The Police Federation fear that the Chairman of the Police Authority will fall in line with current Tory party politics and accept a one off Government grant, aimed at keeping a 0% precept and a manifesto promise, which will lead to the Constabulary having to find a further £1.3 million in savings, which equates to a further loss of 41 Police Officers, which will lead to a less visible presence and of more concern, an increase in the chance of our community members becoming a victim of crime.''

Police budgets have been cut nationally and here in Gloucestershire the force is having to make savings of £16m, on top of cuts already imposed by the Authority and County Council of over £8m.

These cuts have already seen the closure and sale of 19 Police Stations, and a reduction in Police numbers last seen in the 1970's

The Federation claim the reduction of 200 Police Officers already made, equates to the number of Police Officers currently policing the whole of Gloucester or the whole of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, a further loss of 41 Officers will see the number of Police Officers fall well below the number of students currently studying at Rednock in Dursley or St Peters High School in Gloucester.

In response to the various force wide representations made to the Gloucestershire Police Authority in recent days the Chairman, Councillor Rob Garnham, said:
 
"The Police Authority is faced with setting a financial strategy for the Constabulary that maintains the current service levels, keeps people safe from harm and still continues to drive down crime when there are many uncertainties. 
 
"The situation this year is compounded by the fact that the Police Authority will not be in existence to set future years' budgets, nor follow through our current financial strategy.  

"In November the public will vote for a Police and Crime Commissioner who will be responsible for setting the police budget and the level of police precept. Whatever the police precept we adopt this year, the decisions for the remaining years of a strategic financial plan will not be made by us.
 
"For the Authority, the decision is not just about accepting the grant or avoiding cuts. It's about how to phase the changes over time in the difficult financial circumstances we all find ourselves in. 

"Others may be nervous about being in the hands of the PCC, which they have no choice about.That is not something the Authority can take into account when setting budgets for public spending.

"The Police Authority is aware that there are many members of the public who will welcome a council tax freeze this year, and although it might mean increases in later years they will still have a respite this year.  

"When many in the county have lost their jobs or are facing redundancy and having to make every penny count, to be told by an Authority that they still have to pay increased taxes, in a year when there is an alternative, will not be met with overwhelming appreciation.
 
"We have asked for two options to be presented to us, both aiming to meet the challenge facing us. The bottom line is that whichever option is chosen they effectively mean the same thing, except in one, the zero tax increase option brings £1.3m of government money into the county thereby maintaining the same level of funding as originally planned for this year, whilst the other builds up the level of council-tax based funding for policing.

"To arrive at a solution that preserves the required funding to maintain policing services will not be an easy one. It is not a decision that can be made lightly, but it will be one that is made after consideration of all the facts."
 
The Police Authority will determine the council tax rise and its financial strategy on February 9th.