PCC Clare Moody prepares to set police Council Tax funding for 2025/26

The police council tax increase for the coming year will be set by Clare Moody, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset, at a meeting in Taunton next week.  
 

Did you know around 57 per cent of annual funding for your local police service comes from a central Government grant? The remaining 43 per cent comes from your local council tax bill, known as the police precept.
 

It is a key part of Clare’s job, as PCC to decide each year how much she will ask for in an increase to the police precept in order to make up the budget for funding local police services for the year ahead.
 

Clare, is preparing to present her proposal of an increase to the police precept of £14 for the year for an average Band D property to the Police and Crime Panel on Tuesday (February 4th). The Panel will decide whether they support Claire’s proposed increase, and this will determine how much more you will contribute through your council tax bill to fund local policing for the year ahead.
 

The Police and Crime Panel is the body that is responsible for scrutinising the PCC and is made up of elected representatives (councillors or elected mayors) and at least two independent members.
 

This year the Government have given £14 as the maximum annual increase to fund your police service. In making her decision, Clare will consider the central and Clare will consider the Government’s grant award. Government grant as well as other factors including Avon and Somerset’s operational needs according to Chief Constable Sarah Crew, and the feedback from the public in Clare’s recent precept survey. 
 

The survey, which launched in October and closed in December had 3,200 responses through online and postal delivery.  
 

The money from the police precept makes up a significant portion of the funding available to Avon and Somerset Police, enabling the force to tackle crime and strengthen neighbourhood policing. 
 

In the face of rising costs and increasing demands, PCC Clare Moody has emphasised the need for a balanced approach that considers policing demand and what the people have Avon and Somerset fed back in the survey.
 

Clare Moody commented:

“My priority is ensuring that Avon and Somerset Police delivers an efficient and effective service that makes a positive difference to the issues that matter most to our residents.”
 

Residents of Avon and Somerset have already played a vital role in shaping the Police and Crime Plan, which will guide policing through to 2029.

The Police and Crime Plan priorities include:
 

• Strengthening neighbourhood policing to tackle anti-social behaviour. 

• Reducing violent crime, including male violence against women and girls and serious youth violence. 

• Preventing crime through early intervention. 

• Supporting victims to ensure they receive timely and effective help. 

• Improving policing standards to build trust and confidence.
  

The Police and Crime Panel will respond to Clare’s proposal on the 4th February.  
 

For more information about how your police service is funded and what a police precept is, please read our what is a police precept fact file.