The Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel met on Thursday, 5th February 2026, to discuss the refreshed Police and Crime Plan and the proposed policing precept for 2026-27. The panel approved a £15 increase in the council tax precept for policing, which will contribute to maintaining service levels despite significant budget pressures.

Refreshed Police and Crime Plan and Precept Proposal

The panel reviewed the draft refreshed Police and Crime Plan, titled 'Cut Crime, Support Victims, Build Trust', for 2025-2029. The plan, which was last updated less than a year ago, has seen minimal changes, primarily incorporating recommendations from the Angiolini inquiry and national policy shifts. The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Matthew Scott, highlighted that the annual policing survey indicated strong public agreement with the plan's priorities.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposed policing precept for 2026-27. The PCC proposed an increase of £15 per year for a Band D property, representing a 5.6% rise and bringing the total precept to £285.15. This decision was made in light of a £30 million budget pressure, including £16.4 million for pay awards, and a projected savings gap of £2.9 million for 2026-27, with £40 million required over the medium term.

The provisional police funding settlement from the government indicated an increase of £12.9 million for Kent, but this did not fully cover the pay awards. The government's settlement assumes that all PCCs will increase the precept by the maximum allowed, £15, shifting more of the funding burden to local taxpayers. In 2010, 73% of Kent's funding came from the government, compared to an expected 56% in 2026-27, with the remainder from precept and locally generated income.

Consultation on the precept proposal revealed that 86.8% of respondents accepted the necessity of the £15 increase, with 46.4% willing to pay more. Despite cost-of-living pressures, the PCC argued that this increase is essential to maintain the force's strong progress and performance. The additional precept income will help mitigate, but not eliminate, the need for savings. Without the full £15 increase, further significant savings would be required, potentially jeopardising progress in areas like neighbourhood policing.

Councillor Stuart Jeffery raised concerns about the justification for the maximum precept increase when additional income is primarily for running costs rather than specific local needs. He questioned assurances for future sustainable budgets. The PCC acknowledged the challenge of police funding reliance on central government and the regressive nature of the council tax precept, which was initially introduced by the Conservatives.

Councillor Mike Blakemore sought clarification on the increase in neighbourhood officers, noting that funding would only cover 19 out of a promised 43, and questioned the need for these additional officers given existing numbers. The PCC explained that the national uplift of 1,750 officers was shared, with Kent receiving 43, but the funding was less than £30,000 per officer. He assured that pay increments and contingent labour were factored into budgets, with no plans for growth in officers or temporary contracts beyond specific operations.

Councillor Deborah Croxton inquired about the lack of mention of prevention funding in the report, particularly concerning nuisance vehicles. The PCC stated that Kent Police's neighbourhood policing model has prevention at its core, but acknowledged the need for police support to control such behaviour.

The panel also discussed the broader context of police funding, including the upcoming abolition of PCCs in 2028 and potential changes to force boundaries. The Chief Finance Officer, Rob Phillips, provided a detailed Section 25 statement on the adequacy of reserves, robustness of estimates, and financial controls, highlighting the ongoing financial challenges and the need for careful planning despite uncertainties in central government funding.

Work Programme

The panel noted its work programme for future meetings, including the Panel Annual Report and an update on the Winter of Action.