Author: Sandra

This is what the increase means to households across all of the Council Tax Rate Bands in 2025-26.

 

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore is inviting Suffolk residents and businesses to have their say on the direction of policing in the county and the activity which will be taken forward by his office over the next four years.

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Plan is now out for consultation in a draft form. It covers the four year period 2025-29 and is structured into three themes which focus on an efficient and effective police force; commissioning services which support victims of crime ,and the PCC’s engagement with communities and his role in partnerships to enhance community safety and criminal justice.

POLICE & CRIME PLAN CONSULTATION

The survey takes the activity identified to meet each of the objectives set out in the three themes and asks views in relation to those, and also gives an opportunity for people to make general observations about the areas covered by the plan if they wish to do so.

Tim Passmore said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am the link between local people and the police, and it is really important to me that everyone has the opportunity to be part of the direction I am setting for policing in Suffolk if they wish to do so.

“My aim is, and always has been, to make Suffolk a safer place in which to live, work, travel and invest. The survey is an opportunity for residents to express their views on the draft plan and I can assure everyone who takes part in the consultation, all their views and comments will be considered.”

The Police and Crime Plan consultation has been extended to 9am on Monday 27 January 2025.  If you answer all parts of the survey it will take approximately 25 minutes to complete, depending on how much detail you provide, however you can skip to the sections you are most interested in.

Following the consultation, the plan will be updated and presented to the Police and Crime Panel in February for the consideration of its panel members before being adopted by March 31st 2025.

A link to the plan is embedded in the survey but also available here:

DRAFT POLICE & CRIME PLAN 2025-2029 (PDF 565KB)

 

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore has launched his annual survey to gauge public views on his draft proposal for the policing element for the council tax precept for the next financial year.

The Policing Minister has given all Police and Crime Commissioners the ability to raise the policing element of the precept by £14 per annum (based on a Band D property) for 2025/26.  Suffolk’s PCC is proposing to use this maximum increase and is asking Suffolk taxpayers their thoughts. This 5.1% increase means you pay an extra 26.8p per week if you live in a Band D property – or 20.9p extra a week if you live in a Band B property.

COUNCIL TAX PRECEPT SURVEY

The survey closes at 9am on Thursday 30th January 2025.

Tim Passmore said, “As your Police and Crime Commissioner, setting the budget is one of my most important responsibilities. I must ensure that the Constabulary has the resources needed to provide an efficient and effective service, whilst ensuring that I use Suffolk taxpayers’ money for the maximum benefit.

“I have gone through the proposed budget in great detail with the Chief Constable and our respective Chief Finance Officers.  I can assure you we continue to make savings and all the efficiencies we can, but the settlement we have received will not allow us to keep pace with the increased pressure on the force, so I feel I have no option but to propose an increase in the amount we all pay for policing through our council tax.

“In short, the government settlement for next year is nowhere near enough to maintain policing services. Without the proposed increase, there is a significant risk of a reduction in service and, without some level of investment the Constabulary will simply not keep up with the increased demands placed upon it. The level of service will decline accordingly.

“I hope everyone will take the opportunity to consider my proposal and let me know their thoughts via the survey.  As PCC I represent the people of Suffolk so it is important I hear their views.”

Chief Constable, Rachel Kearton said, “At a time when demands on policing are growing ever more rapidly it is essential that the Constabulary is properly resourced and equipped to deliver a high-quality service and ensure Suffolk continues to be a safe place in which to live, work, travel and invest.

“As the population of Suffolk grows, develops and diversifies this proposed additional funding will go a long way in enabling us to ensure the Constabulary continues to provide a good policing service to all Suffolk’s communities.”

The PCC will present his final proposal to the Police and Crime Panel on Friday 31st January 2025 for approval. The papers for this meeting will be published five clear working days before on Suffolk County Council’s website, www.suffolk.gov.uk.

Anyone not able to take part in the electronic survey can write to the PCC at The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Suffolk Police HQ, Portal Avenue, Martlesham Heath IP5 3QS. Please answer the question: Do you agree with my proposal to increase the policing element of the council tax for 2025/26 by 27p a week (based on a Band D property)? with a clear YES or NO and include any comment you wish to make. The written response needs to be in the office by 5pm on Wednesday 29th January 2025.

This is what the increase would mean to households across all of the Council Tax Rate Bands in 2025-26.

 

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner has announced the successful recipients of the latest wave of his PCC Fund grants. Eight local organisations will share £120k to fund various projects which contribute to reducing crime and disorder in the county, supporting young people and helping victims and witnesses of crime.

Tim Passmore said, “Commissioning services to support the work of the Constabulary is an important element of my role as Police and Crime Commissioner.

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to support these local organisations in their valuable work. We rely very heavily on the support of voluntary and community organisations and we are indebted to them for their commitment and enthusiasm.

“I truly believe that without the support of organisations such as these ones funded by the PCC’s Fund we would be a much poorer society.”

The successful recipients in this last funding wave of 2024 included Fresh Start Future Enterprises which received £19,568.28 to provide remote wrap-around support from up to 100 Suffolk offenders from HMP Norwich facing complex challenges associated with re-offending, including homelessness, substance abuse and employment.

Green Light Trust received £19,482 to support the ‘Young Futures’ project in Ipswich, Martlesham and Bury St. Edmunds. The woodland-based programme will create a safe place for young people at risk of exploitation and focus on developing skills around conservation, wildlife, as well as education around offending.

Headway Suffolk received £10,000 to support people on probation who have a neurological condition. This will help offenders with rehabilitation, behaviour issues, and provide focus and purpose to move on from the cycle of reoffending.

Lofty Heights in Ipswich received £20,000 to support the Velo Build Bike Project, a practical ‘hands on’ course, aimed at empowering young people, particularly those at risk of engaging in criminal activity by addressing the challenges they face.

Mid Anglia Enterprise Agency (MENTA) received £20,000 to support the Skills for Success project in Lowestoft offering those on probation constructions skills and practical knowledge to enhance employment opportunities.

The Selig Trust in Ipswich received £15,000 to support the Springboard project providing supported accommodation for those who would otherwise be homeless. The programme will provide mental health support and works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure the recipients are able to gain employment to promote independent living, as well as a reduction in offending and substance misuse.

The countywide Cyber Helpline received £4,605 to support the Suffolk Cybercrime Helpdesk, providing technical support and digital safety awareness to victims of fraud to improve confidence and feelings of safety to move forward.

Unity Schools Partnership received £11,200 to fund ‘Keep Safe’ month – a range of school-based activities to enhance self-confidence and manage the challenges young people may face including knife crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour. Up to 13,000 young people across Haverhill, Newmarket, Bury St. Edmunds, Felixstowe, Brandon and Great Cornard will benefit from this initiative.

The Grant panel, which considers applications, includes a representative of the PCC’s executive team, a representative from Suffolk Community Foundation and Chairs of the local Community Safety Partnerships. The Panel is chaired by the PCC who is responsible for final determination of each award.

 

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore presented his Annual Report for 2023/24 to the Police and Crime Panel at its meeting on Friday 11th October 2024.

Tim Passmore said, “I am very pleased with the support and their feedback on the plan.

“My annual report is a snap-shot of the work taking place in Suffolk to meet the objectives set out in my Police and Crime Plan. It gives me the opportunity to highlight some of the key events in the last financial year and present financial and commissioning updates in a simple format.”

Annual Report 2023-24 (PDF, 13MB)

Panel Report on the PCC’s Annual Report 2023-24

PCC’s letter to the Chair of the Police and Crime Panel (PDF, 529KB)