OPCC Precept Survey 2024 for Financial Year 2025-26

A paper copy of this survey is available. Please contact opcc@northwales.police.uk for more information.

You can also answer this survey in Easy Read format by clicking here.

Keeping North Wales a safe place to work, live and visit is the biggest concern for the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner. Your views are important in helping the Commissioner determine the budget for 2025/26, specifically whether the precept should increase. The precept is the part of the Council Tax which pays for policing in your area.

Your feedback will be used to inform the Commissioner's discussions with the Chief Constable in agreeing the precept with the Police and Crime Panel for North Wales.

Please submit your response by midnight 20 December 2024

Question Title

1. Do you pay Council Tax or Business Rates?

Council Tax

Business Rates

Neither of the above

The Police and Crime Commissioner has to present a balanced budget over the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), which is the name for the budget plan that we work to.

Based on our current assumptions regarding government grant, a council tax increase of £23 per annum is needed to create a standstill budget in real terms. However, the PCC is mindful of current pressures on household budgets and would like to know what level of council tax increase you would support.

These following options give an idea of what different increases in council tax will mean for the budget for policing.

Question Title

2. Please could you indicate what level of council tax increase you would choose for 2025/26.

Since 2010 North Wales Police has made savings amounting to £45 million per annum.

Please note, due to the requirement we have in law to set a balanced budget, no increase to the Council Tax precept is not an option.

37 pence per week (£19 per year) – This would result in the Police and Crime Commissioner needing to find approximately £1m in cuts.

44 pence per week (£23 per year) – This is the estimated standstill position.

51 pence per week (£26.50 per year) – This would allow a small level of growth estimated at £1m.

Question Title

3. If you have any comments or further suggestions on the options to Question 2, please write your views in the box below.

Question Title

4. If government funding is as we have assumed and council tax were to increase by 51 pence per week, this would provide funding for additional service improvements.

If you were the Police and Crime Commissioner, where would you choose to invest this additional funding? Choose up to 5 options from the list below.

Tackling and preventing rural and wildlife crime

Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of police officers and police staff

Improving road safety

Tackling and preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence

Safeguarding vulnerable people

Tackling and preventing cybercrime

Tackling and preventing hate crime

Building on the already published North Wales Women’s Justice Strategy

Offender Diversionary Schemes

Increasing the use of restorative justice

Supporting and protecting children and young people and diverting them away from the Criminal Justice System

Addressing the root causes of offending and supporting the rehabilitation of people that have offended

Another suggestion

Question Title

5. What age were you on your last birthday?

Under 16

16-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75+

Prefer not to say

Question Title

6. Which county do you live in?

Anglesey

Gwynedd

Conwy

Denbighshire

Flintshire

Wrexham

Question Title

7. How would you describe your Gender?

Male

Female

Other

Prefer not to say

Question Title

8. How did you hear about this survey?

In person event

Social media

From friend/family

Text/Email

Newspaper

Library or police station

If you find it difficult to afford to pay your Council Tax bill, help may be available. Please contact your billing authority for details of any discounts you may be eligible for, or for information about their Council Tax reduction scheme (which can be up to 100% of your Council Tax).