Report by:      Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel

Subject:          Draft refreshed ‘Making Kent Safer’ plan and 2023/24 precept proposal

Date:               1 February 2023

PANEL DECISIONS

The Panel supports the Commissioner’s refreshed Making Kent Safer plan.

The Panel unanimously approves the Commissioner’s proposal to increase the police precept for 2023/24 by £15 per year, or 6.57% for a Band D property, equivalent to £1.25 per month. 

Background

1. The Panel have a statutory duty under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and associated Regulations to:

• Review and report on the Commissioner’s draft Police and Crime Plan; and
• Review and report on the Commissioner’s proposed level of precept.

In addition, the Panel may:

• Make any recommendations on the draft plan or proposed precept; and
• By a two thirds majority, veto the proposed precept.

Draft refreshed Plan and proposed Precept.

2. The Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel considered the Commissioner’s draft refreshed Making Kent Safer Plan and precept proposal at its meeting on 1 February 2023.  The Police and Crime Commissioner attended to present his proposal and answer questions from the Panel, the meeting was webcast live to the public. 

3. The Panel had had two informal briefings with the Commissioner’s Officers between November 2022 and January 2023 to discuss the development of the precept proposal.  

4. The Panel noted that the Commissioner’s priorities within the plan remained unchanged.

5. The Panel commended the Commissioner on his ongoing prioritisation of work against Violence Against Women and Girls and requested that this continued.

6. The Panel then asked the Commissioner a series of questions relating to his precept proposal, the assumptions which underpinned it and his future financial plans. The questions covered issues including:

1. A review of the use of the ‘Late Night Levy’
2. The Neighbourhood Policing Review
3. The national Funding Formula which, it was considered, adversely affected Kent.

7. The Panel noted that the Kent PCC remained within the lowest quartile (bottom 10) of precepting PCCs across the country and Kent remained in the lower quartile for Government funding for PCCs.

8. The minutes of this meeting are available    

Anna Taylor

Panel Officer

14 February 2023