Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner which provided an update in relation to the consultation on his proposal for the policing element of the Council Tax Precept for 2017-18, presented a summary of the responses at the time of despatch of the report and the expected outcome on the feedback received.  The PCVC also presented to the Panel details of the completed consultation which closed at midnight on 29 January 2017 (for report and copy of presentation see file of Minutes).

The PCVC informed the Panel that 324 responses had been received, a figure which he found disappointing.  77% of respondents supported the proposed 1.98% increase and 23% supported the precept remaining at the current level.  The PCVC presentation provided details of the responses by age group and place and the PCVC informed the Panel that this information would be used for future consultations to identify where more engagement was needed.

Councillor Brookes asked whether the consultation had been carried out online or by hard copy.  The PCVC replied that both online and hard copy consultation was carried out, with the majority of responses being online.  The strategy of consulting with AAPs was to be reviewed because it was not possible to attend all AAPs and some did not meet during the consultation period.

Councillor Allen informed the Panel that the PCVC had uploaded a video to Facebook to encourage participation in the consultation.  Councillor Allen suggested a way of boosting future participation could be to run it alongside a competition for participants.

Councillor Boyes agreed that 324 responses was a disappointing number and asked whether, given the numbers, it could be considered to be a valid consultation.  The PCVC replied that it would not considered to be statistically significant.

Councillor Boyes informed the Panel that he considered the PCVC had done all he could to encourage participation in the consultation.  There was a need for the proposed 1.98% rise in precept to maintain the service of Durham Constabulary.  Councillor Boyes moved that the Panel agree the 1.98% precept rise.  This was seconded by Councillor Armstrong.

Councillor Hopgood agreed with the proposed 1.98% precept increase.  She added that given the low number of consultation responses percentages could be misleading and requested that in future numbers were given.  The PCVC replied that both numbers and percentages should be given.

Resolved:

(i)              That the consultation returns be noted

(ii)             That the proposed 1.98% precept increase be agreed