Police await fund decision (From York Press)

Police await fund decision

9:30am Friday 30th November 2007

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POLICE chiefs expect to hear next Thursday whether the Government has heeded pleas for the North Yorkshire force to receive a fair grant.

The Press launched its Fund Our Force campaign after Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell warned that North Yorkshire could face budget cuts of up to £10 million.

He said such a reduction, which could be reflected at rural forces across the country, would have a devastating impact on frontline policing.

More than 1,300 readers signed the newspaper's petition, which called for the Government to retain adequate funding to ensure the police can continue fighting crime.

All-party support for the campaign came from every member of City of York Council, and a dossier containing the petition was handed last month to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith by York MP Hugh Bayley.

The Minister later revealed in a letter to the Labour MP that cuts to the budget would not be "anything like £10 million," but she did not reveal whether there would be any funding reductions.

She said there was no intention of disadvantaging rural authorities, but the Government wanted to ensure it was using the most up-to-date data in calculating the police funding formula.

"I know North Yorkshire Police Authority supports the principal of greater flexibility for the police in the use of resources," she said.

"I am clear that these changes, even if implemented in full, would not cost North Yorkshire anything like £10 million."

Home Office officials have remained tight-lipped over the grant settlement since then, saying North Yorkshire's figure would not be revealed until the announcement is made.

A North Yorkshire Police Authority spokeswoman said today that it was "hoping and expecting" to hear the settlement on Thursday.

She said that by chance, the authority's "Engagement Forum" would be discussing the consultation process, and issues over funding and precept levels, the following day at a meeting to be held at 2pm at police headquarters at Newby Wiske, near Northallerton.

She said the forum was organised by the authority to engage with partner agencies, including local authorities and external organisations, and it was open for members of the public to attend.

She said the authority had to set its precept for next year by February 4, following a public consultation.

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