The Government is being urged to address a funding crisis at Lincolnshire Police in the forthcoming budget.
Latest figures show Lincolnshire Police face a £17.5m financial shortfall if the Government fail to provide additional money to cover the police pay award.
Even with the extra money, the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner will be grappling with a £14m funding gap.
PCC Marc Jones has urged the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves to address the issue in her budget on October 30th.
He recently met, and received support from, all Lincolnshire MPs in his fight to get the county fairer funding. Ministers have been made aware of the financial situation.
The budget later this week could be a critical point in the battle.
Earlier this year The Police Foundation, an independent think tank focused on developing knowledge of policing and crime reduction, released figures which show that Lincolnshire received funding of only £196 per head – compared to £246 in Humberside and £221 in Norfolk.
If Lincolnshire received the same per head funding as Humberside it would bring in an additional £38m, or Norfolk an extra £19m.
“For years we have been fighting to get Whitehall to recognise that the outdated funding formula is unfairly penalising Lincolnshire, its police force and its residents,” said Mr Jones.
“Under the last Government we had finally got to the point where there was universal recognition that it needed to be addressed, and a new formula was due to go out to national consultation.
“Clearly a change in Government has brought the issue to a standstill but the budget is a chance for the new cabinet to make a clear statement on police funding and I sincerely hope they take that opportunity.
“If not then we face some very real and challenging decisions on how we manage a multi-million funding shortfall. It’s hard to see how services can be maintained at their current level unless something changes.”
Mr Jones has already launched a judicial review of the funding formula used to calculate how much each force get in central Government grant – which was under review during the final months of the last Government.
Chief Constable Paul Gibson said: “I will continue to work alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner to lobby government for a sustainable funding settlement for Lincolnshire Police.
“The Force consistently strives to achieve greater efficiencies and provide to the people of our county the very best value for money.
“However, it’s clear the current funding formula has meant Lincolnshire Police has been underfunded for many years.
“The new government has presented new opportunities for us to present compelling evidence that this funding formula needs to change. It is long overdue.”
