Suffolk PCC asks for views on precept proposal

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore has today launched his annual survey to gauge public views on his draft proposal for the policing element for the council tax precept for the next financial year.

The Policing Minister has given all Police and Crime Commissioners the ability to raise the policing element of the precept by a maximum of £15 per annum (based on a Band D property). The PCC is proposing to use this maximum increase and is asking Suffolk taxpayers their thoughts. This proposed 5.2% increase means you would pay an extra 29p per week if you live in a Band D property – or 22p extra a week if you live in a Band B property.

Link to:  Council Tax Precept Survey 2026-27

The survey closes at 2pm on Thursday 29th January 2026.

Tim Passmore said, “As your Police and Crime Commissioner, setting the budget is one of my most important responsibilities. I must ensure that the Constabulary has the resources it needs to provide an efficient and effective service, whilst ensuring that I use Suffolk taxpayers’ money for the maximum benefit.

“We continue to ensure the Constabulary makes savings, but the settlement we have received will just not allow us to keep pace with the increased pressure on the force.

“I have gone through the proposed budget in great detail with the Chief Constable and our respective Chief Finance Officers and feel I have no option but to propose the increase.  In short, the government settlement for the next financial year does not give me confidence that we will be able to maintain policing services in the county over the coming years. Without some level of investment, the Constabulary will simply not keep up with the increased demands placed upon it, and projections, provided by the Constabulary, show without this increase we are heading towards a significant deficit in future years. 

“This additional funding will allow for investment in technology which in time will help us to free up police officer time, and this will allow us to improve visibility in our town centres and our rural communities.”

Chief Constable Rachel Kearton said: “The force remains committed to keeping people safe and putting victims first. I lead an organisation that has professional, committed and courageous officers and staff at the heart of it, who are focused on protecting people from harm and delivering high quality investigations. This proposed additional funding will help ensure we continue to deliver a service that the county can be proud of and where we continue to invest in our people and innovate and improve using new technology.”

The PCC will present his final proposal to the Police and Crime Panel on Friday 30th January 2026. The papers for this meeting will be published five clear working days before on Suffolk County Council’s website, www.suffolk.gov.uk.

Anyone not able to take part in the electronic survey can write to the PCC at The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Suffolk Police HQ, Portal Avenue, Martlesham Heath IP5 3QS. Please answer the question: Do you agree with my proposal to increase the policing element of the council tax for 2026/27by 29p a week (based on a Band D property), with a clear YES or NO and include any comment you wish to make. The written response needs to be in the office by 5pm on Wednesday 28th January 2026.

The website for the Suffolk PCC can be found here - Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk