Archive for category: News

The January newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales is available here or in the attachment.

This edition covers articles on the new government emergency alerts system, how to prevent burglary and protect your friends from romance fraud, understanding ‘secured by design’, offers from Patlock and Avast, how to avoid Amazon scams, how to find a trusted locksmith and more.

Jan 2023 OUR NEWS.pdf

 

Message from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon

Yesterday I launched a survey to gauge public reaction to a proposed average £10 a year increase to the policing part of the precept.
However, in the afternoon we were informed by Government that it was increasing the amount PCCs could increase the precept by, without local referendum, to up to £15 per year per Band D household. The original limit was the £10 average increase I proposed.

Originally, I could only increase the precept by 4.1% – through the police part of the council tax – which meant an average Band D household would pay an extra £10 a year, 83p a month or £251.47 annually.

Yesterday’s announcement means I could now increase by up to 6.2% and an average Band D household would be looking at an extra £1.25 a month, or £15 per year, with the total amount being £256.47 annually.

As you know it was a difficult decision to ask for support for an increase – especially in this economic climate – but I now have to add an extra proposal in to my survey to gauge the public’s response.

What this unexpected cap increase could mean for Wiltshire Police’s finances is now being worked upon by Clive Barker and his team. The earlier options of: no increase = £5.5m savings and £10 average increase per year = £3.1m savings still remain.

As soon as we are able to provide the fuller picture around what this announcement means, I will. I expect that to be in the new year, once we have received final confirmation of the amount of Government central funding to be received and the budget-setting papers have been finalised.
Revised full police precept table below:

	Current Police Precept 2022/23 (annual payment)	Total proposed Police Precept 2023/24 – with 4.1% increase – £10 average (annual payment)	Yearly payment/ monthly payment for £10 average increase in precept.	Total proposed Police Precept 2023/24 – with 6.2% increase – £15 average (annual payment)	Yearly payment/ monthly payment for £15 average increase in precept.
Band A	£160.85	£167.51	£6.66 a year 55p a month	£170.85	£10 a year 83p a month
Band B	£187.65	£195.43	£7.78 a year 65p a month	£199.32	£11.67 a year 97p a month
Band C	£214.27	£223.35	£9.08 a year 76p a month	£227.80	£13.53 a year £1.12 a month
Band D	£241.27	£251.27	£10 a year 83p a month	£256.27	£15 a year £1.25 a month
Band E	£294.89	£307.11	£12.22 £1.02 a month	£313.22	£18.33 a year £1.53 a month
Band F	£348.50	£362.95	£14.45 a year £1.20 a month	£370.17	£21.67 a year £1.80 a month
Band G	£402.12	£418.78	£16.66 a year £1.38 a month	£427.12	£25 a year £2.08 a month
Band H	£482.54	£502.54	£20 a year £1.66 a month	£512.54	£30 a year £2.50 a month

 

As you know the decision to ask for your support for any increase has been a difficult one – and one that I would not make if there was an alternative.
I hope you have found that update useful and encourage you to fill out the survey – it is only by using your voice that we can truly understand the views of local people. It is short and should only take a few moments to fill in.
www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/P5K55JL 

 

Philip Wilkinson – OBE

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon

Wiltshire Council libraries have officially become warm spaces for people this winter, providing a warm and friendly welcome to support anyone who needs help through the cost-of-living crisis.

 

Of course, Wiltshire libraries are open to the public throughout the year, but now anyone is welcome to drop-in to any library in the county during the usual opening hours to have a sit down, a hot drink where possible, pick up some useful information, take part in activities and enjoy a friendly chat with staff should they need it, also there will be collection points for Warm Packs, which include a hot water bottle and blanket.

There is also a range of support and advice on the dedicated cost of living webpages. The recently launched interactive community directory can also be found there, which contains details of other warm spaces in the county as well as community food providers. It can all be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living.

The PC has had notice of dogs entering the playground area at Redhills would like to remind all residents and visitors that dogs are not permitted at all in the Redhills play area,

Thank you