About this survey
This consultation is about whether to increase the policing precept of council tax in financial year 2025-26. Please read the below message from PCC Sarah Taylor and then answer the questions below.
To see Sarah's full message, and a message from Chief Constable Paul Sanford, please visit the OPCCN website: https://www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk/key-information/finance/police-budget-202526-consultation/
The consultation will close at 5pm on Friday 13th December 2024.
Message from PCC Sarah Taylor
“While we wait for the Government to confirm next year’s Police Funding Settlement, we already know that a significant increase in funding is needed if Norfolk Constabulary is to continue its excellent work in keeping Norfolk safe. This increase is needed both to cope with costs and to cope with an increase in demand for services. These costs are expected to increase for several reasons, including the impact of inflation on the costs of police officers, staff, supplies and services purchased, and the volume of high harm crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual offences, which require a highly skilled and technical response to investigate them successfully and to provide support to victims.
The law allows PCCs to raise the policing element of council tax each year, up to a maximum amount before a local referendum is required, in order to meet increased demands and costs. Last year, the increase was £13 (£12.96) for a Band D property. If the same increase were to be used for 2025/26, this would leave the constabulary with a shortfall of £2.9m against the police’s current spending plans.
Without an increase in funding, the Constabulary would struggle to maintain current levels of service, let alone plan for the future – investing in digital technology and employing a skilled workforce.
What people have been saying to me at engagement events is that they want Norfolk Constabulary to have a much stronger focus on prevention to tackle anti-social behaviour, drugs and knife crime. Another common thread has been the experience of victims being let down by the court system which in turn impacts policing because they are supporting victims for longer, all of which requires more funding.
To fund the policing element of your Council Tax, I would like you to tell me which of the following three approaches you would like me to take when I develop my spending proposals for the next financial year 2025/26."
Data Protection
The results of this survey will be analysed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN).
The survey does not ask for individually identifiable information unless you wish to save your progress and come back later.
If any identifiable information is provided, the OPCCN will ensure that any publications relating to the survey maintain your anonymity.
The OPCCN complies with data protection legislation, including GDPR, by applying its Data Protection Policy.
Any data you provide prior to clicking ‘Finish Survey’ will not be used in any analysis or publications. After clicking ‘Finish Survey’ you retain the right to request your data is erased and not used in any future analysis or reports.
To request your data be erased, please contact the OPCCN in writing or via email. Please note it may not be possible to erase your data if your response does not include identifiable information because we will not know which response is yours.
If you do not ask for your data to be erased, your survey responses will be stored for no longer than four years, as per OPCCN data retention policy.
If you have any questions or need any help regarding this survey, please contact the OPCCN by telephone (01953 424 455) or by emailing opccn@norfolk.police.uk.