Panel approves Police and Crime Commissioner’s budget plans

Credit: Derbyshire PCC's office

Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Panel has given PCC Nicolle Ndiweni Roberts’ budget plans for 2026–27 full and final approval, noting both the financial challenges facing the Force and the strong public support for paying more to protect local policing.

At the Panel’s meeting held on 21st January, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable presented the proposed budget for policing, community safety and victims’ services across the city and county. This included the recommended amount local households contribute towards policing (the precept), which must be approved by the Panel.

The report showed that almost 73% of respondents to the Commissioner’s recent public survey said they were prepared to pay an increase of £15 or more (£1.25 per month) for a Band D property to protect local policing.

Thanking Panel members and the public for their support, PCC Nicolle Ndiweni Roberts said: “I am acutely aware of the financial pressures facing households in our communities. But we must also ensure that Derbyshire Constabulary has the resources to keep our neighbourhoods safe.

“Our communities were clear about how much more they were willing to pay towards policing, with almost 73% supporting the £1.25 per month increase or more to keep Derbyshire safe. This was the highest engagement we have ever received in a police budget consultation in Derbyshire. This is not just a mandate; it is the public placing their trust in us to use their hard earned money responsibly and effectively to deliver the policing and community safety priorities that matter most to them.

“The financial situation remains difficult, but I know through consultation and engagement with our residents how important visible neighbourhood policing is for our communities. Through the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, Derbyshire will continue to increase the number of Police Officers, PCSOs and Special Constables as further ringfenced funding becomes available to support frontline policing.

“However, within the Constabulary’s current 1,500 police staff roles, we will see a reduction of 80 posts — an outcome the organisation worked extremely hard to avoid. Staff across Derbyshire make an enormous contribution to keeping our communities safe, and we recognise the impact that any reduction in roles has on individuals and teams. This has been a tough decision sadly driven by the significant financial pressures we face, and I want to express my sincere gratitude for the dedication, professionalism and commitment that staff bring to their roles every day.

“Without the precept increase, the job roles at risk would unfortunately have been significantly greater.”

The report outlined a Net Revenue Budget Requirement of £254,329,023, representing a 4.5% increase in net expenditure compared with 2025/26. While the Government has provided a £166.5m grant, the withdrawal of the additional £1.7m one off grant for the 2025/26 pay award means the increase in Government support equates to £3.8m (2.3%). The remaining £106.4m will come from the police precept, which for a Band D property will rise by 5.11% to £308.60 for the coming financial year.

PCC Ndiweni Roberts added: “The police grant has increased and while that is welcome, it is simply not enough to cover inflation and pay costs. I’m grateful to the public for their support and to the Panel members who recognised the importance of protecting our police services.

“This budget protects frontline policing and supports the priorities residents set for us. It ensures we can continue deliver the Police and Crime Plan by tackling drug dealing, antisocial behaviour and serious violence, including VAWG, as well as improving neighbourhood policing, enhancing support for victims and ultimately bringing offenders to justice.”

You can download the full report here.