Police force could lose 140 officers due to £4m pensions bill
A police force could lose almost 140 officers after being hit with a £4 million pensions bill from the government, according to a police commissioner.
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has warned the force will be at tipping point, and will face difficult financial decisions after learning of the HM Treasury bill.
The UK government has asked police forces to pay more towards pension liabilities, and Mr Llywelyn has said that this could cause the force to lose 38 officers next year and 97 the following year.
He said: "We are, without doubt, nearing tipping point in relation to police funding in Dyfed-Powys.
"I have been working prudently alongside the force to ensure that the precept remains stable for the tax payer next year.
"With the handing of a substantial and unprecedented pensions bill from the treasury, financial stability has now been put at significant risk, and poses a threat to our local communities.
"If the treasury is to continue with its plans, without providing additional funding, we will have to look at a range of options before making some difficult decisions.
"I cannot, by law set an unbalanced budget. This means that this money would have to be found from increasing council tax, drawing from reserves, or by reducing expenditure. We will do our very best to limit the impact of this on the public in Dyfed-Powys."
Dyfed-Powys, which covers four counties, will not be the only force hit by a bill.
Across England and Wales the police pensions cost is set to increase by £165 million in 2019/20 before rising to £417 million, which could mean 4,000 fewer officers next year and 10,000 fewer from 2020/21.
Mr Llywelyn has written to all Dyfed-Powys MPs and AMs raising his concerns about position. He has also invited elected representatives to a briefing with him in December.
The force's director of finance, Edwin Harries said: “The force is monitoring the position as regards public sector pensions employer contributions and is awaiting further guidance from the National Police Chiefs Council in relation to the exact accounting requirements for the next financial year.
"It is estimated that the financial impact on revenue budgets in 2019/20 could be as high as £1.6 million with a further £2.6 million being required in 2020/21.
"It is not clear whether any funding will be made available to offset these costs at this stage. The grant settlement for 2019/20 is expected in December 2018 with the 2020/21 funding position being reliant on the outcome of the comprehensive spending review.”
