We only pay Once for our PCSOs

Written by Cathy Bakewell and published in the Somerset County Gazette on Thu 15th May 2008

I would like to put the record straight regarding Roger Conway's letter: "Haven't we already paid for PCSOs?"

PCSOs in Street, with Councillor Jim Mochnacz

Under the original Home Office legislation, 75% of the cost of PCSOs was met by the Police Authority, in this case Avon & Somerset, with the remaining 25% from local authorities. Some unitary and district authorities found it increasingly difficult to meet that commitment and so the PCSOs were scaled back in number to fit within the 75% funding. At the same time, the government promised funding to expand the programme, but later halved this. So the future of PCSOs in Somerset became increasingly uncertain.

As Leader of the County Council at the time, I asked the Liberal Democrat group to consider as part of the budget, allocating up to £500,000 to meet the shortfall in funding for the number of PCSOs in the county we wanted. These PCSOs were doing valuable work and had been well received by their communities. The outcome is we now have 19 new officers, two of whom are working with the county's Trading Standards department, to help curb under-age drinking and other behaviour issues.

Therefore, this funding is additional and quite separate from the Police Precept. People need not be concerned that they are paying 'twice'. It breaks down into; Somerset County Council investing £475,000, Sedgemoor District Council £33,000 and Taunton Deane Borough Council £28,000. Both District authorities have signed up for three years.

Yours faithfully,

Cllr Cathy Bakewell