Police commissioner proposes 4.9% council tax increase for policing – £13.95 for Band D properties

Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Gary Godden has announced a proposed Council Tax increase for the 2025-26 financial year.

The proposal outlines a £13.95 annual increase for Band D properties, representing a 4.9% rise. This comes as part of the PCC’s wider strategy to address policing priorities under the recently introduced Police and Crime Plan (2025-2029), A Safer Nottinghamshire for All.

What Does This Mean for Residents?

For the majority of Nottinghamshire taxpayers, particularly those in Bands A and B properties (accounting for 60% of the county’s tax base), the increase translates to £9.30 and £10.85 annually, respectively—less than 21 pence per week. The new Band D rate will rise to £296.10 per year.

This increase is projected to generate an additional £4.7 million in funding for Nottinghamshire Police, excluding the effects of natural growth in the tax base.

The PCC says the proposal comes in response to growing financial pressures and the need to ensure robust policing. With national funding increases limited and capital grants discontinued since 2022, local taxpayers are being called upon to bridge the funding gap.

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Government support includes a £6 million increase in the Core Police Grant, raising Nottinghamshire’s allocation to £169.2 million. However, other critical funding streams, such as grants for victims’ services and neighbourhood policing, remain either flat or at risk of discontinuation beyond 2026.

Additionally, Nottinghamshire Police faces mounting operational costs:

• £19 million in staff-related expenses, including pay increases and recruitment.
• £2 million in reduced income.
• £1 million due to inflationary pressures on utilities and other costs.

To offset these challenges, the force has identified £4.9 million in savings, including reduced insurance and overtime costs and efficiencies in uniform and IT systems.

The increased funding will be directed towards the PCC’s top priorities:

1. Neighbourhood Policing: Restoring a simplified model across 12 districts to provide consistent day and evening coverage.
2. Crime Reduction: Dedicated teams tackling knife crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotspots, with plans to continue successful initiatives like Immediate Justice patrols.
3. Workforce Strength: Maintaining officer numbers at 2,408—one officer for every 482 residents—and keeping PCSO numbers at 150.
4. Victim Support and Prevention: Enhanced services for victims of domestic abuse and violence reduction initiatives, alongside a focus on improving investigative outcomes.

Nottinghamshire Police will also invest in technological advancements, including drones, digital evidence sharing, and environmentally sustainable projects aimed at reducing the force’s carbon footprint.

The PCC’s proposal is informed by extensive public consultation, which included focus groups and online surveys conducted in December and January. “I remain committed to consulting widely,” Godden noted. “This increase reflects the balance between community concerns and the necessity of maintaining a resilient and effective police force.”

While the budget for 2025-26 is balanced, the PCC acknowledges that reliance on reserves and further savings will be necessary to address funding gaps in future years. Specific grants for key programmes, such as the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and Children Affected by Domestic Abuse (CADA), remain uncertain beyond 2026.

Despite these challenges, Godden emphasises the importance of securing sustainable funding. “Our priorities are clear—safer communities, reduced crime, and robust neighbourhood policing. This increase ensures we can meet those goals.”