Police and crime panel expected to freeze council tax precept

The newly-formed Sussex Police and Crime Panel will meet on Friday January 11 to begin one of the major tasks it was set up to carry out. It will review the draft Police and Crime Plan drawn up by the Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jan 2013, 15:02 BST

One key element of the plan is the precept – the amount the Commissioner wants to raise from council tax - for the coming financial year. The draft plan proposes no change, leaving the precept the same as last year at £138.42 for a Band D property. The Police and Crime Panel is being asked to agree the precept, although it is not required to approve the budget.

The Panel, which includes councillors from each of the 15 local authorities in East and West Sussex plus two lay members, oversees public accountability and transparency. It is being asked for its views on the priorities outlined in the plan, titled Safer In Sussex 2013/14. Those views will become part of the final Police and Crime Plan.

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“This is the first-ever Police and Crime Plan for Sussex, so it is vital that we put forward the view of residents from all over Sussex,” said Panel Chairman Brad Watson OBE.

The Plan will incorporate the views of other organisations including businesses and Community Safety Partnerships, victims and witnesses, the Sussex Criminal Justice Board, the Safer Roads Partnership, and parish councils.

The Police and Crime Panel meeting will be open to the public, and takes place at East Sussex County Council in County Hall, Lewes.

You can view a webcast of the meeting via the East Sussex County Council website, search for Videos.