The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel met on Thursday 12 February 2026 to discuss a revised policing precept proposal. The Panel supported a £15 increase for a Band D property for the 2026/27 financial year and requested the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) reconsider the proposed Crime Prevention Fund.

Policing Precept Proposal

The Panel considered a revised proposal from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the 2026/27 council tax precept. This followed the Panel's previous veto of an initial proposal to increase the precept by £11 for a Band D property, which the Panel had deemed too low. The PCC's revised proposal, submitted on 10 February 2026, suggested an increase of £15 for a Band D property.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (Engagement and Lobbying) Mr Oliver Bryan explained that the revised precept of £15 was intended to address the concerns raised by the Panel and eliminate the deficit in the policing budget for 2026/27.

Members of the Panel expressed satisfaction with the revised proposal, acknowledging the PCC's responsiveness to their concerns. They reiterated that the original precept had been insufficient to adequately fund the police service, particularly in light of increasing demand. The Panel highlighted that Leicestershire Police remains one of the lowest-funded forces nationally and stressed the ongoing need to lobby central government for a fairer funding formula.

A significant concern raised by the Panel related to the government's proposals to abolish Police and Crime Commissioners by May 2028. Panel members questioned the status and permitted uses of reserves held by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) should policing functions be transferred to different governance structures. They sought clarity on whether unspent funds could be directed to frontline policing and prevention activities before any structural changes, or if central government might reclaim or restrict their use. The Deputy PCC confirmed that no clarity had yet been provided by the government on this matter.

Councillor Les Phillimore, Chair of the Panel, raised concerns regarding the PCC's public consultation results on the precept. The PCC's report indicated a weighted average response supporting an uplift of £9.90. Councillor Phillimore requested further information on the calculation methodology, noting that 56% of respondents had supported an increase of £14 or more. It was agreed that this information would be provided in writing.

Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall thanked the Panel for their support and scrutiny. He acknowledged that despite the £15 precept increase, the Force would still face financial challenges, including projected reductions of £3.5 million impacting police staff and officer roles. He detailed increasing demand related to serious violence, public order events, and complex safeguarding work. Assurances were given that investments in the contact centre and safeguarding would be protected where possible, with modelling undertaken to minimise the impact on frontline services.

Further discussion points included:

• Partnership Funding: The Panel inquired about the stability of partnership funding for community safety and youth justice. The Temporary Chief Constable stated that funding stability was crucial and would be continuously reviewed to minimise risks to service delivery.
• Impact of Savings: Concerns were raised about potential impacts of upcoming savings on call handling, safeguarding, and neighbourhood visibility. The Temporary Chief Constable assured the Panel that an additional £1 million had been invested in the control room, which would be maintained. Safeguarding functions would remain a priority, with reductions targeted away from areas of high public impact, although some service impact was deemed inevitable.
• Force Challenges: The Panel noted that Leicestershire Police faces challenges similar to metropolitan forces, in addition to standard policing demands. These are attributed to the unique characteristics of the City and County, including significant deprivation, major football clubs, three universities, and a highly diverse population, all of which create pressures not experienced in many other force areas. The Force has also responded to continued serious violence and escalating protest activity, which diverts officers from neighbourhood duties. One Panel member noted a significant reduction in crime within the City.
• Crime Prevention Fund: The Panel expressed a need for transparency, evaluation, and future clarity regarding the proposed Crime Prevention Fund. The PCC intended to transfer £1.2 million from the Commissioning reserve and £2.5 million from the Budget Equalisation reserve to this fund to commission crime prevention activity. The Panel proposed that this money should be utilised locally, in partnership with public sector bodies, and suggested that the PCC reconsider the fund's structure, directing these reserves towards policing and established prevention partnerships instead.

Following this discussion, a motion was moved by Councillor Elly Cutkelvin and seconded by Parisha Chavda: That the PCC reconsider the proposed Crime Prevention Fund, with a view to directing £1.2m from the Commissioning reserve and £2.5m from the Budget Equalisation reserve towards policing and established prevention partnerships . This motion was carried with 13 members voting in favour and none against.

The Panel resolved to:

• Note the information presented in the report.
• Support the revised precept of £15 for the 2026/27 financial year for a Band D property.
• Note the future risks, challenges, uncertainties, and opportunities included in the precept proposal, along with the identified financial and operational considerations.
• Request the PCC to provide information relating to the weighted average calculation for public preference regarding the precept.
• Request the PCC to reconsider the proposed Crime Prevention Fund, with a view to directing £1.2 million from the Commissioning reserve and £2.5 million from the Budget Equalisation reserve towards policing and established prevention partnerships.

Date of Next Meeting

The Panel noted that their next meeting would be held on 21 April 2026 at 2:00 pm.