This afternoon I’m at @EssexPFCC mtg. PFCC Roger Hirst tells the panel @EssexPoliceUK facing “serious cost pressures” in next year. This includes £3.5m hole in pension pot due to changes made by govt to all public sector pensions 
Other pressures on police budget:
- increase in fuel costs for vehicles
- IT programme replacement
- “7 figure increase in cost of insuring police’s motor fleet”
RH says govt is aware of these pressures which aren’t unique to Essex, and will address it in 👮♀️ funding settlement
- increase in fuel costs for vehicles
- IT programme replacement
- “7 figure increase in cost of insuring police’s motor fleet”
RH says govt is aware of these pressures which aren’t unique to Essex, and will address it in 👮♀️ funding settlement
Funding settlement was due to be announced TODAY. But @mhclg SOS pulled the statement due to debates on #WithdrawalAgreement in parliament.
RH says indication from MHCLG is that PCCs will be allowed to double police precept for 19/20.
I.e. from £12 extra per household to £24.
RH says indication from MHCLG is that PCCs will be allowed to double police precept for 19/20.
I.e. from £12 extra per household to £24.
RH says the issue of £800k overspend in @EssexPoliceUK budgets this year is due to officer overtime due to having too few officers. Describes force as “running hot”.
Says he accepts that some overtime is good for officers to top up pay, but current level is unsustainable.
Says he accepts that some overtime is good for officers to top up pay, but current level is unsustainable.
RH says when he came into office, the force was 288 officers short. This year 150 new officers recruited & trained, and next yr he hopes to do the same.
Says Force is currently at 3,000 👮♀️, and he hopes to increase in 19/20.
Says Force is currently at 3,000 👮♀️, and he hopes to increase in 19/20.
At start of mtg there was major awks when mtg Chair Malcolm Maddocks demanded to know why @ECFRS Chief Fire Officer Jo Turton wasn’t present, when there’s 3 items on fire service
RH defends her saying there’s no “statutory obligation” for her to come, as mtg is to scrutinise him
RH defends her saying there’s no “statutory obligation” for her to come, as mtg is to scrutinise him
Speaking about @ECFRS Budget for 2019/20, RH says there aren’t same pressures as police budget.
But he admits there’s ongoing pay dispute with @fbunational over multi-yr pay settlement for firefighters in exchange for changes to role. (I.e he wants firefighters to do some👮♀️jobs)
But he admits there’s ongoing pay dispute with @fbunational over multi-yr pay settlement for firefighters in exchange for changes to role. (I.e he wants firefighters to do some👮♀️jobs)
Some interesting figures in 2018/19 @ECFRS performance report. It shows number of fire incidents going ⬇️, but number of false alarms going ⬆️ (although actual number is still low).
