All PCSOs placed on notice
All police community support officers (PCSOs) in Lancashire Constabulary have been told that their jobs might be disestablished amidst increasing uncertainty over future funding.
All police community support officers (PCSOs) in Lancashire Constabulary have been told that their jobs might be disestablished amidst increasing uncertainty over future funding.
The constabulary pays for its 427 PCSOs through a central government grant or by funding received from partners such as local councils, but there is no certainty at present that either of these avenues will continue after the end of the financial year.
Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said: This is a hugely regrettable position for us as we place a great deal of importance on the role our PCSOs play in Lancashire and know that many members of the public feel the same way. This is not a decision we have taken lightly but reflects the seriousness of the financial position surrounding the funding of PCSOs and the current lack of clarity.
However, unless we start this formal consultation process now, we run a very significant risk of finding ourselves in a position where we are putting an even greater burden on our finances, and those of the public purse, by being left with posts we simply cannot afford.
This 90-day consultation notice does not mean that all our PCSOs are going to be made redundant, or in fact lose their jobs, because we cant be clear on that at the moment. But it does pave the way for us to act quickly if we need to once we have the clarity over the Government funding.
With an estimated £50 million to find over the next four years, as confirmed by the recent Comprehensive Spending Review announcement, the constabulary says it would not be able to find any additional money to cover the funding gap which would amount to around £220,000 per week.
The funding cuts have meant that the force have now taken the decision to start 90-day formal consultation proceedings with the trade unions.
Malcolm Doherty, chair of the Lancashire Police Authority, said: Work will continue with the constabulary and our partners to enable us to retain as many PCSO posts as we possibly can. However, the magnitude of the financial challenges ahead and the uncertainty over future funding for PCSOs mean that we have to be realistic and consider all the options available to us.