Residents urged to participate in precept survey before it closes later this month

South Wales residents have less than one week to have their say about how much they pay towards policing in 2024/25.

The Precept survey, launched by the Police and Crime Commissioner in November, closes on Monday, 18th December.

As the Commissioner for South Wales, Alun Michael is responsible for setting the police precept – how much people will pay towards policing through their council tax and he has until February, 2024, to present the level to the Police and Crime Panel.

In setting the precept, Commissioners consult with the local electorate about how much people are willing to pay.

The survey – which can be completed online – asks people whether they would be satisfied, unsure, or dissatisfied about three rising increases.

It also gives people the opportunity to tell the Commissioner about what they think of their police service where they live.

In South Wales, residents currently pay the Welsh average for policing, which is significantly less than the cost of policing in North Wales. Residents living in a Band D Property in South Wales currently pay £27.04 per month for policing, but over sixty per cent of residents in South Wales are below Band D and pay less, and may also receive council tax discounts or benefits.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael, said: “In setting the precept, it is important for me to consult local taxpayers to understand public sentiment in terms of how much they are willing to pay for policing in South Wales.

“The financial pressures that many households are under is a big problem, but the same financial pressures which affect ordinary people, such as vehicle and household fuel price increases and supply chain costs, have hit police budgets very hard indeed over the past few years thanks to the Government’s ‘flat cash’ approach to police funding. They have shifted, and continue to shift the burden of policing from central government to local taxpayers. That gap in funding has to be bridged somehow – we have a legal responsibility to balance the books.”

“The grant for policing in England and Wales will be announced imminently – I then have to determine the budget and notify the Police and Crime Panel of my proposed precept by February, 2024.

“South Wales is one of the safest areas to live and work in the UK but the intense pressure on policing and other services makes it necessary to give very careful consideration to the level of council tax needed to support communities and address emerging crime threats.

“In setting the precept for 2024 / 2025 I will do everything that I can to balance affordability with ensuring that South Wales Police has the funds to carry on keeping communities safe.”

The survey can be accessed in English or Welsh via the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner website https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/OurPoliceOurCommunity23/

People can also request a paper copy of the survey which is sent out together with a pre-paid envelope.