A Cheshire councillor has asked why there are only 51 PCSOs across the county when council taxpayers agreed to pay a higher police precept to fund 57, writes Belinda Ryan.
Last year Cheshire had 87 Police Community Support Officers but the chief constable then announced plans to axe 60 of those roles as part of a cost-cutting measure.
Police and crime commissioner Dan Price asked residents whether they would be prepared to pay extra to help safeguard some of those jobs.
As a result, residents across the county saw the police element of the council tax (precept) for a band D property rise to £18.30 when it is usually capped at £15.
At a cross-party police and crime panel, which scrutinises the work of the commissioner’s office, Cllr Keith Millar said: “Residents agreed to pay a little bit more for PCSOs, which were being reduced from 87 down to 27, and with the additional investment from residents, we would have 57 PCSOs.
“Less than a month into this new financial year I was concerned to hear that we are down to 51 PCSOs.”
He said he regarded the agreement for 57 as a contract with residents “but less than a month we’re significantly at least 10% under”.
Deputy commissioner Gemma Southern, who was representing Mr Price at the meeting in his absence due to illness, said: “That is the case. We are speaking to the constabulary at the moment about that.
“In terms of the precept funding, the funding is still for 57 and they’re holding six vacancies at the moment…
“You can’t always guarantee that you will have exactly 57 but we are talking to them at the moment about what they are doing to recruit up to that level, so the funding is still there for 57 just to be clear.”
She added the recent redundancy process had been lengthy, public and not enjoyable for those who PCSOs who had to go through it.
Panel chair Judy Snowball (CEC, Lab) said: “I’ve heard from a number of PCSOs that would agree that the process was not a pleasant one, and that they were under a great deal of pressure.
“I think it’s not been [good] for morale, and it’s not been a good time for them, which is very regrettable, given how valuable they are.”
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