VICTORY: Somerset Independents Succeeds In Halting Increase to Taxpayers on Police Costs

Leader of Somerset Independents
Andrew Pope

UPDATE: Councillors finally caved in to the PCC's Budget in a hurriedly-organised second meeting, only making a minor change to the Budget.

It proves that tou can't trust party politicians to do the right thing unless you are directly challenging them, and increases our concerns about three Independent members positions on the Panel being vacant.

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BREAKING: Following Andrew Pope's speech to them today to stand up for taxpayers, the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel have just voted by majority to veto the 6.6% increase asked for by Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens and Chief Constable Andy Marsh.

Somerset Independents listen and acts for residents. 

As Leader of Somerset Independents, Andrew Pope listened to residents who said they did not wish to pay more for the Police and questioned the increase during a Global Pandemic and when families are feeling the crushing weight of Covid-19 on their lives.

Andrew sent a written statement that was forwarded by the officer to all members of the Panel. It is shown in full below.

Andrew had listened to residents who asked why the Police were spending so much money on relocations and buildings, and asked what had happened to the money from the sale of police stations such as in Wells.

Andrew questioned the budget proposals, pointing out to members of the Panel that Somerset residents were really feeling the strain of Covid on their finances. 

When he spoke at the Panel in the virtual meeting today, Andrew said that there was no mention of delays to police buildings, the use of reserves or better use of the massive IT budget.

The Chief Constable responded to Andrew's points.

Then after a long debate, members of the Panel deliberated.

They voted by 11 votes to veto the budget, with 1 abstention.

Andrew says:

"Somerset Independents was formed to stand up for residents. We listen and we act on residents' concerns.

The Commissioner should have looked harder at the budget, and provided more options, instead of just one alternative.

So I am pleased that Sue Mountstevens and the Chief Constable Andy Marsh have been asked to think again.

They will now have to re-consider the budget and come back to the Panel."

Andrew also spoke to appeal to the Panel for help to delay the May 2021 elections - something which Somerset Independents believes is right and has contacted MPs and council officers to suggest. Sadly, not a single mention was made by members of the Panel at the meeting. However, the meeting was cut short after 3 hours on the budget, with later agenda items postponed until a future meeting.

Andrew Pope Statement to the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel, 4th Feb 2021

Dear Police and Crime Panel,

 

Firstly, I would like to appeal to you to refuse the 6.6% increase in the precept for the Police. Ask yourself whether this is really justified when there has been money wasted on Police moving from station to station - for example in Shepton Mallet. The public expect police to be on the beat, and out of the office, so police stations are not the priority of the public. At least, that's what the public has been told by the police - that front desks and police stations are not really needed. Yet your press releases on the budget make multiple mentions of police buildings. This level of increase is not justified, so please refuse it.

 

Secondly, I would also question whether the surveys quoted in the reports before you today, are representative samples of the population of Somerset. If they are not, then why are they being used to make decisions? As a Panel, you should demand better, to make better decisions and provide better advice.

 

Thirdly and finally, regarding the May 2021 elections. I am Leader of Somerset Independents, a pressure group of residents and registered political party that is considering, amongst a group of Somerset residents, whether to stand a candidate in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections. We are aghast at the £5,000 deposit and the strange decisions made by MPs prior to the last PCC elections.

 

I note that today there are no Independent Panel members present, with two recent resignations, a vacancy and an illness. I find this all rather worrying.

 

Somerset Independents has this week sent its view to all Somerset MPs and all returning officers, plus SOLACE and the AEA. Our view is that the May 2021 elections must be delayed, in the interests of public health, public safety, scrutiny and for free and fair elections. When they are safe, they can be held. If this is not until October, or even next year, so be it. I hope that you agree, but I am here to listen.

 

I would ask you, therefore, that in the event of a delay that you consider very carefully how you deal with such a delay. I suggest very strongly that you do not consider appointing any PCC without an election, even on a temporary basis. Any previous or existing candidate should not be appointed. This would be anti-democratic and set a dangerous precedent. I would also question the wisdom and legality of such a move. I hope that you agree.

 

Thank you for listening and I hope that I will get a written response, and there will be a healthy debate, about the points that I have raised. You can contact us at somerinds@gmail.com.

 

Andrew Pope

Somerset Independents