Information
FOI 26042022-1 – Precept 2022/23 Query
Question
Thankyou for the leaflet explaining how my precept is spent on the local Police and Fire services.
I would like more clarification on the largest sector of each pie, “Police Officers, Staff and PCSOs” and “Firefighters and Staff”.
Would you be able to break it down further, perhaps with categories like “Salaries”, “Pension Contributions”, and “Pension Payments for Retired Officers / Staff”? There may be other significant categories too.
Answer
In the Council Tax leaflet and Panel report, the PFCC uses the information provided by the Chief Constable to explain where the budget consented to the Chief Constable is intended to be spent and the PFCC will seek monitoring information from the Chief Constable in that regard.
It is important to understand that The Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) and Northamptonshire Police are two separate legal entities. Information regarding operational policing matters is the responsibility of Northamptonshire Police, therefore the OPFCC does not hold some of the information you have requested. Northamptonshire Police’s Information Unit may hold some of the information you are seeking. If you have not already done so, then you may wish to write to their Freedom of Information and Data Protection Team, Information Unit, Force Headquarters, Wootton Hall, Northampton, NN4 0JQ / freedomofinformation@northants.pnn.police.uk
In relation to the Fire & Rescue Service, The following breakdown was included in the precept report published in February 2022:
In respect of the specific query about pension payments – fire and staff – such payments are not made from the revenue budget – employer pension contributions are.
In respect of Fire, pension payments made are set out in the Firefighters Pension Account which is funded by employers contributions and Home Office grants and can be seen on page 49 of the Statement of Accounts for 2020/21. The audited accounts (the last set produced as the next accounts are due to be published as draft by 31/7/22) are on the PFCC website:
Staff Pensions Payments are made from the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which is administered by West Northamptonshire.
