Surrey Police Authority to challenge government cap in court

12.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 7th Jun 2009

SPA Chairman Peter Williams

Surrey Police Authority (SPA) Chairman Peter Williams confirmed last week that they will seek permission for a Judicial Review of the Government's decision to cap the SPA's budget this year. However political parties were asked not to comment on this during the county council election campaign, in view of the importance of the Police being, and being seen to be, totally impartial.

Earlier in May, local government minister John Healey confirmed that the SPA will have to set a lower council tax in 2009-10, forcing the chief constable to cut 50 front-line operational posts and necessitating a re-billing of Surrey residents, despite the cost of £1.2million to recover £1.6million.

SPA Chairman Peter Williams has branded the decision to incur these costs to return just six pence a week for the average Band D property as 'irrational, unreasonable and indefensible' and 'seeming to defy financial logic'.

"In 1997/98 Surrey was granted from Government £96 per head of population. In 2009/10 that figure is £93 per head - in real terms a reduction of 39 per cent and the third lowest level of funding in the country. Yet Surrey provides substantially more in tax revenue to the Exchequer than any other county - the equivalent of £12,000 from every resident, every year. The Government's statements about big investment in policing do not represent the reality in Surrey." he added.

"Surrey Police now has the lowest expenditure per Band D household of any force in the country, whilst maintaining excellent performance", said Mr Williams. "However much the Minister for Local Government might wish to, he cannot decouple the amount of money we are currently allowed to raise through council tax from the level of service we are able to offer."

The SPA are urging Surrey residents and business people to sign the petition on their website, see Related Link below, which has already attracted more than 5000 signatures.

Related Link:

Surrey Police Authority Petition