Panel backs police boss's budget after U-turn

Leicestershire and Rutland police and crime commissioner (PCC) Rupert Matthews' budget has been backed by councillors who initially vetoed it.

Last week, the cross-party Leicestershire Police and Crime Panel blocked Matthews' proposal to increase the force's share of council tax by £11 for a Band D property from April rather than the maximum £15 allowable under government capping rules.

Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall had warned the £11 increase would leave the force without the resources it needed to keep the public safe.

The panel met again on Wednesday after Matthews, the country's only Reform UK PCC, U-turned on his plans and proposed the £15 rise.

The panel was told Matthews was unable to attend the meeting for personal reasons because his daughter was in hospital but he was represented by deputy PCC Oliver Bryan.

Matthews previously said he did not want to impose the maximum rise on local tax payers but Sandall said not getting the maximum precept would leave the force with a £4.7m budget black hole in 2026-27 which would rise each year after.

Bryan told the panel further discussions had been held after last week's veto.

"We have taken the panel's feedback from last time into account," he said.

"We went away, had more discussions and felt that £15, as you the elected representatives of your wards said, the people would be prepared to pay that.

"We have come back and said as much.

"That will eliminate the remaining deficit in the [Chief Constable's] budget."

Conservative panel chairman Les Phillimore welcomed the PCC's new stance but said his original proposal was "illogical" because it would underfund the police.

Sandall said: "We really appreciate the fact that the PCC has changed the decision.

"This is the first step. The financial challenges that we have, and as the deputy PCC has outlined, funding for [Leicestershire Police] is dropping again.

"We certainly need more people, not less."

The chief constable told the panel that £3.4m in resources could be taken out of the force if budgets do not change during an operating review in March.

He added: "The reality is, if these budgets do not change, there will be further cuts."

The panel heard the force could face a deficit of £8m by 2027-28 rising to £14m in 2029-30.

The panel was also told the force was the sixth lowest funded in the country by the government.

Both Bryan and the panel said they would continue to press for more central funding.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Since taking office, this government has increased investment in the police by close to £2bn. Police force funding next year is at a historic high of £18.4bn, with Leicestershire Police receiving a cash increase of up to £14m compared to 2025-26.

"We are determined to ensure policing is fit for the future, and last month's landmark policing reforms will put 13,000 more neighbourhood officers into roles to tackle local crime."

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