The Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel was scheduled to consider the Police and Crime Commissioner's proposed budget and precept for 2026/27. The meeting also included updates on local government reform and a review of the Panel's work programme.

Police and Crime Commissioner's Budget and Precept Proposal

The primary focus of the meeting was the consideration of the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) proposed budget and precept for the 2026/27 financial year. The report pack details the PCC's budget, which includes a proposed £15 increase for a Band D property, equating to a 4.94% rise. This increase is intended to help fund a net revenue budget of £151.674 million, with a contribution of £1.487 million from reserves.

The budget report outlines a number of anticipated benefits from this spending, including improved response times, enhanced crime investigations, sustained visible patrols, and investment in training facilities and technology. The report also details the financial picture, including the provisional police settlement from the government, which is noted as being lower than anticipated and not addressing the funding formula's perceived inadequacy for Warwickshire.

Public consultation on the budget revealed that 51.2% of respondents who expressed a view supported an increase in the policing element of Council Tax at or above the maximum level, while 35.6% favoured a freeze. Key priorities identified by the public included emergency response, preventing and solving crime, neighbourhood visibility, and tackling violence against women and girls.

The report also includes a Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2026/27 to 2030/31, which identifies a need for further savings of £5.608 million over the period. The capital programme for 2026/27 is set at £11.599 million, covering investments in estates, IT, and vehicles. The adequacy of reserves was assessed, with general reserves maintained at £6 million.

The PCC's Chief Finance Officer provided assurance on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of reserves, while acknowledging the considerable uncertainty within the policing landscape due to ongoing reforms and potential changes to governance models. The report recommends that the Panel make a report to the Commissioner on the proposals before 8 February 2026.

Local Government Reform Update

The Panel was scheduled to receive a verbal update on local government reform, including the implications for policing in Warwickshire and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). This follows the Warwickshire County Council's decision to submit a response favouring a single unitary authority. The report notes the government's announcement to abolish Police and Crime Commissioners by 2028, with future policing oversight potentially falling to elected mayors or Police and Crime Boards. Concerns were raised about the handling of this announcement and its impact on staff.

Work Programme

The Panel was scheduled to consider and review its work programme for the upcoming year. A proposal was noted to add a standing item to the work programme to provide updates on Local Government Reform and the future of policing in Warwickshire. Additionally, a request was made for a future report on the quality of service experienced by users of the 101 service.