‘Further savings in Lincolnshire police can only be made with poorer service’

Cutting police officer numbers and a degradation of service is the only option to make further necessary savings for Lincolnshire’s force, an independent report has found – leading to another call for more funds.

Lincolnshire’s Chief Constable has said an interim Government grant is needed after promised funding was withdrawn.

A HMIC efficiency report into the force said: “The force has done what can be reasonably expected to become efficient, to maximise value for money for the taxpayer while providing an effective policing service to the communities of Lincolnshire.

“It was one of the lowest cost forces per head of population in England and Wales in 2015/16. This means it saves money and brings a more efficient approach.

“Despite this, the force is unlikely to be able to maintain the level of service it provides to the public in the future if it has to make further savings by the last option available to it; reducing further frontline police officers and PCSOs.

“It is likely that there will be service loss or degradation of policing services in Lincolnshire if further reductions are made to the workforce.

“The force is in this position through no fault of its own, its leadership or that of the newly elected police and crime commissioner.”

Policing Minister Brandon Lewis is due to meet with Lincolnshire Police on December 1, when it is hoped discussions can take place on its financial position.

A Lincolnshire police statement said: “This follows a protracted correspondence with the Home Office about the inadequate funding level of Lincolnshire Police.

“A position that was set to be addressed last year with a proposed change to the funding formula. However before the Force received the anticipated additional funds of £7 million it was found that the formula was based on flawed data and the changes were not implemented.

“Brandon Lewis’s firm commitment to reviewing the formula, in a swift and timely manner, is welcomed wholeheartedly by Chief Constable Neil Rhodes.”

Ch Con Neil Rhodes said: “HMIC point out that through no fault of our own, we are unlikely to be able to maintain the good level of service we provide to the public in the future. It is also completely unfair to expect the force to destroy its modest reserves trying to bridge the gap. There needs to be an interim grant from Government.”

Report highlights:

• There are already clear signs that the force is working at or near maximum capacity. Since March 2016, the force report higher levels of sickness, with those who are sick suffering from higher rates of mental stress. Officers are carrying over more leave days because they find it harder to take that leave, and police staff report not being able to take accrued time owed, which is then cancelled if not taken in a set period.

• There has been a programme of cost reduction and increasing efficiency since 2010. Over this period the force has achieved £23m in savings.

• In light of the continuing uncertainty over government changes to the police funding formula, the force is now developing alternative credible and practical financial and workforce plans. The plans are based on prudent assumptions, for example, that council tax precept will be increased by 2 percent per year.

• As at 31 March 2016, police officers make up 73 percent of Lincolnshire Police’s workforce. This was higher than the England and Wales average of 59 percent. The proportion of police community support officers in Lincolnshire Police was nine percent, higher than the England and Wales average of six percent

• In April 2012, Lincolnshire Police signed a contract with a private sector company which provides support services and some operational functions, including call handling. The contract is expected to deliver approximately £36m in savings over the ten-year contract period.

• During 2016/17, expenditure has increased significantly because of external cost pressures. The force report these additional costs amount to £6m and include £1.8m for the removal of the national insurance rebate for contracted-out pension schemes; £1.2m for PCSO funding after the county council reduced its contribution; and £0.7m for pay awards for officers and staff together with increased ICT and contract costs including those from the Home Office. The issue worsened after the police grant settlement was reduced by £0.3m compared to the previous year.