Dear colleague,

I write to you to ask you kindly if you could complete a short survey as part of my 2024-25 Policing Budget Consultation:

https://bit.ly/DyfedPowysPrecept24-25

As your Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, it is my duty to secure effective and efficient policing for our communities. Local policing is funded from UK and Welsh Government Grant settlements, as well as through the police precept, which is the amount you pay for policing through your council tax. 

One of my statutory responsibilities as a Police and Crime Commissioner is setting the police precept. Deciding on the precept level is always a challenging process, particularly in recent years where I have had to balance between unprecedented financial challenges and ensuring an appropriate level of policing service that our communities expect. 

A Force Review was initiated last year to critically assess all areas of activity seeking efficiencies, cost savings and transformational opportunities. Significant progress has already been made by Dyfed-Powys Police to ensure that the Force operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, and this very much remains a focus. 

However, working efficiently and effectively, does not mean the Force can meet all the growing demands placed on it.   

The financial challenges faced are considerable.  High inflation, cost pressures along with requirements to provide critical infrastructure are compounded by the increased volume and complexity of crime and overall demands for police services. 

At this stage of planning, there are also uncertainties and both operational and financial risks around how much funding will be received from both the UK and Welsh Government through national Police Grant settlements and specific grants which underpin an extensive range of police and frontline activity. 
 
I am painfully aware of the pressure the cost-of-living crisis is putting on everyone, which I will take into consideration as I navigate the array of challenges striving to make the best decision for the safety and security of our community whilst ensuring a sustainable and financially resilient police service

The public consultation process allows me to consider your thoughts on funding levels and feedback. Over half of our policing budget comes through the policing precept, therefore it is very important for me to hear your views so I would be grateful to you for taking the time to complete this short consultation survey.  

I would be really grateful if you could share the details of this consultation with others in your community.

Thank you very much, 

Dafydd Llywelyn 
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner