Memorandum submitted by Thames Valley
Police Authority
I understand the Chief Constable, Sara Thornton,
has provided you with a schedule showing police officer and police
staff strengths over the last five years.
As the Chief Constable has pointed out, the
Police Authority has prioritised the growth in posts in Neighbourhood
Policing and Protective Services. This investment in growth in
posts has resulted from rigorous challenge of expenditure, a drive
for efficiency and greater productivity, which has released in
excess of £14 million cashable savings over the last two
years to be re-invested in the front line.
The Police Authority intends to maintain current
strength through 2010-11. However, we are currently considering
budget options for 2010-11 and subsequent years and, whilst no
decisions will be made for some months yet, it is possible that
there may be a reduction in the number of police staff posts.
The situation in Thames Valley is that, whilst
we have the highest number of officers ever, and the Authority
has been able to increase the number in recent years, unlike many
other authorities, we still have the lowest ratio to population
in our family and are the ninth lowest across all forces. This
is equivalent to some 4.4% less than our family average, and 15.2%
less than the national average.
As you will be only too well aware, the prospects
for public sector funding over the next few years look bleak and,
whilst the Authority will strive to preserve and, indeed where
possible, grow front-line posts, this cannot be guaranteed.
There is another peculiarity in Thames Valley
which has an impact on the officer/population ratios. This results
from the high growth in population and the very significant new
development which has taken place in Thames Valley in recent years.
This trend is set to continue in the future with, for example,
Milton Keynes doubling in size within the next 15-20 years. Whilst,
theoretically, the Authority should receive additional revenue
income as a result of the growth in population, the adoption of
"floors and ceilings" in the funding formula effectively
means that, while we have to cope with and address significant
population increase (thus adversely affecting our officer/population
ratios), we receive no additional funding as the ceiling arrangement
prevents this revenue growth.
The Authority will continue to work with and
drive the Force to increase productivity and efficiency to try
and ensure that front-line policing numbers are maintained. However,
given the current economic climate and issues such as the planned
growth, this may prove exceedingly difficult.
November 2009
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