Talks over police funding formula

Created on 12/11/2016 @ 20:44

The area’s police commissioner is to hold high level talks with the UK government’s policing minister over potential cuts in the Dyfed Powys Police budget.

Dafydd Llywelyn will meet the minister next week to discuss the force’s funding formula which last year nearly saw the force lose £8million.

“In the previous attempt at a funding review back last year, one which the Home Office agreed was based on flawed calculations, Dyfed-Powys Police stood to lose £8million from its budget,” said a statement from his office.

“Mr Llywelyn is firm that a similar settlement would be catastrophic for local services and is actively working to give the Force a voice.”

Speaking ahead of the meeting on the 15th November, Mr Llywelyn said: “The next few months are a critical period for the financial future of Dyfed-Powys Police. The government in Westminster are reviewing the Police Funding Formula, which currently provides half the funding for police services across the counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.”

“Last month I pulled together cross-party representatives at a Funding Summit held in Carmarthen. The aim was to begin the conversation and share relevant information with all those representing our area and, to ensure that every opportunity to lobby the current Policing Minister, the Rt. Hon Brandon Lewis is achieved. It is very important that this is done with party politics put to one side and the event enabled us to begin working in this way.”

“I will do everything I can to fight for a fair settlement to deliver local services and will need the support of all elected representatives in this endeavour.”

“I will be meeting the Policing Minister personally next week to ensure that my views and the Dyfed-Powys Police position is explained fully.”

Dyfed-Powys Police is the largest geographic police force in Wales and England, with the lowest levels of crime per 1,000 population.

This is how the current formula is calculated https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guide-to-the-police-allocation-formula