Deadline looms for debate on Norfolk police funding

Giles Orpen-Smellie, Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), has a duty to set the police budget and in so doing make a decision on how much people living in the county should pay towards the policing element of their council tax.

And with a 12-week public consultation, launched earlier this year, coming to an end at 5pm on Friday people are being urged to have their say about which areas of policing should be a priority for his spending plans over the next financial year.

Police officers on the beat in Norfolk (Image: Newsquest)At the launch of the consultation Mr Orpen-Smellie said: "As in previous years, I am aware and concerned about the pressures on household budgets and the impact an increase in council tax could have for many.

"However, I am also conscious of the need to maintain the service Norfolk Constabulary currently provides to you, your loved ones, and local communities.

“The decision I must make is not straightforward or easy and involves balancing several complex factors, including your views.

Giles Orpen-Smellie (Image: Newsquest)He added: "I would specifically like to hear which areas of policing and services you think should be priorities in my spending plans, and if you are prepared to pay more to ensure these are protected in the future.”

Last year, with the Norfolk force struggling to cope with rising costs, the part of council tax bills earmarked for policing rose by 5.2pc with families paying an extra £14.94 a year in a band D property and £11.62 for band B households.

In making the decision Mr Orpen-Smellie said he was “between a rock and a hard place” in seeking to stave off cutbacks to areas like visible policing and detective investigators as the force tried to cope with the impact of inflation.

To find out more about how to have your say log onto www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk, email opccn@norfolk.police.uk or call 01953 424455.