Lincolnshire Police Council Tax Set to Rise Amid Funding Crisis

Lincolnshire police need more money to avoid big issues. They might have to cut many jobs without it. Leaders said they’ve already cut back a great deal. Services could struggle even more with low resources. Around four hundred jobs could be cut now.

This affects staff members and officers, too. Urgent funding from the government would really help. Council tax will increase for residents in the area. A Band D property will pay £14 more each year. This makes the total cost £318 annually.

The police still need to save £14 million by 2025. Savings must reach £20 million the year after. Paul Gibson is the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police. He knew finances would be tight when starting.

He says resources are very low here. Other forces are better off in the East Midlands. The government’s extra money doesn’t go far enough. Inflation and rising costs use it up quickly.

Cuts would change how the force works. They would react more instead of preventing crime. Talks with the Home Office are ongoing to stop cuts next April. Commissioner Marc Jones calls the situation dire. He is looking for solutions to the crisis.

A costly referendum on council tax won’t likely occur. It could waste over £1 million of funds. It would require increasing taxes higher than the approved amount. About 60 officers typically leave each year. They retire or change career paths.

Officers can’t be made redundant, legally. A hiring freeze might continue for quite some time. The Chief Constable said improvements will be tough. External reviewers want some changes made.

Achieving these goals is difficult during big budget cuts. Lincolnshire Police gets the least funding per person nationwide. Leaders have requested funding formula change.