The Liberal Democrat Leader of the Official Opposition at County Hall, and member of the Police Authority, Cllr Brendan Glynane, has called on the Conservatives to back up their rhetoric on PCSOs with their votes at the Police Authority Budget meeting tomorrow.
The Police Authority have tabled 2 options for their budget. The second option generates a £454k surplus in Year 1 and a £1.825m surplus in Years 2,3 & 4, which could be used to save PCSOs.
Cllr Brendan Glynane said “The Conservatives ran two County Council election campaigns pledging to fund PCSOs. They have now spectacularly u-turned and are cutting the funds. To try to cover the broken promises the Conservatives are claiming that the Police Authority should fund PCSOs.”
“In an interesting twist of fate the Police Authority has put forwards two options for their budget. The first leaves no surplus, but the second leaves a £454k surplus in Year One, followed surpluses of £1.825m in Years 2, 3 and 4. That is clearly enough money to save many of the PCSOs jobs.”
“So what will the Conservatives do? This is the test for them. Have they been trying to cover their tracks, or do they genuinely believe that their election pledges were wrong? If they have any credibility left at all they must vote for Option 2 and save the PCSOs. It’s time for the Conservatives to put up or shut up.”
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PCSOs are the most cost-effective way that the Police have of showing a re-assuring presence on the streets communicating directly with people. The Police, County Council and Boro Council need to continue to fund them, because if they don't, the councillors are saying that they have no regard or respect for the people who elected them.