Leicestershire PCC forced to rethink policing precept

Rupert Matthews had originally proposed £11 a year for a Band D property to “limit the impact of any increase on local taxpayers”.

However, his recommendation was blocked by the Police and Crime Panel earlier this month on the basis that it was “too low”.

The Policing Precept is the portion of the overall council tax that goes towards policing; households in other property bands will pay a different amount.

Leicestershire Police T/Chief Constable Chief Constable David Sandall had warned that the gap between an £11 and £15 Band D increase was approximately £1.4 million annually, with the medium-term financial plan showing a deficit of £9 million by 2027/28 and £16.4 million within four years. He said lower precept levels would likely reduce staffing and service levels, pressure the contact centre, and reduce neighbourhood visibility.

Mr Matthews explained that he had been keen to limit the impact of any increase on local taxpayers, however, he said members of the panel were very clear that the residents of their communities were willing to pay more.

This week, the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC published a revised Precept Report which shows that he will issue a Council Tax Precept of £15 for the 2026/27 financial year for a Band D property, which will raise an additional £1.4-£1.5 million for policing, crime prevention activity, community safety and victim support services.

Mr Matthews said: “The panel recommended that the maximum level of precept should be imposed on local taxpayers.

“The challenges put forward by the panel do not lead me to question my original decision-making process, but I do recognise their role to scrutinise my decision making and represent the views of their relevant organisations and electorates by extension.

“As I made clear, I wanted to go for a low level of council tax precept on behalf of local residents, which was blocked by the panel. Therefore, my Council Tax Precept for the 2026/27 financial year will now be set at £15 for a Band D property.

“The additional income will cover the force’s remaining deficit of £750,000, which means that the temporary chief constable no longer has an in-year savings target. The balance will boost both our reserves and be used to fund demand-reducing prevention activity to lessen the pressures on the call centre, and frontline officers and staff.”

Leicestershire Police Federation chair Andy Spence said: “I am pleased that the PCC has listened to reason and agreed to raise the council tax precept by £15, despite his initial reluctance to do so.

“This will provide much-needed funds to at a time to support our hard-working police officers in Leicestershire.

“I am concerned, however, that the PCC commits to giving the entirety of this money to the force so it can support frontline policing at a time when demand is continually rising.

“None of this money should be diverted into funding charitable and commercial prevention schemes. There is no data demonstrating that these schemes reduce crime or increase public confidence in policing.

“The hard-working officers of Leicestershire Police give their all to keep the public of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safe. It is only right that the entire policing budget should be used to support their incredible efforts.”