Leighton Andrews, Minister for Public Services
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
Today, I am publishing proposals for the Welsh Government component of funding to Police and Crime Commissioners in Wales for 2016-17.
Whilst policing policy is not devolved, funding for the Welsh police forces is delivered through a three-way arrangement involving the Home Office, the Welsh Government and Council Tax payers.
A common needs-based formula operated by the Home Office is used to distribute funding across English and Welsh police forces. As in recent years, the Home Office has again decided to overlay its needs-based formula with a floor mechanism. This ensures all police forces in England and Wales can expect to receive the same percentage reduction of 0.6% for 2016-17 when compared on a like-for-like basis with 2015-16.
The total support for police forces in Wales will total £354.9m. Within this, I propose to set the Welsh Government’s contribution to police funding for 2016-17 at £136.8m. Today marks the start of a consultation period which will end on 20 January 2016. Following this, allocations may be revised for the Final Settlement.
The timing of this statement has been determined by the Home Office announcement of Police Grant for forces in England and Wales. This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement, or to answer questions on this statement, when the Assembly returns I would be happy to do so.