It is telling that the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel decided to symbolically veto Sue Mountstevens’ original budget – the only panel in England and Wales to do so.
While funding and the precept are always controversial, normally the PCC gets their way. This year the panel members not only stood up for local residents who have had to deal with loss of income due to Covid – there were also serious questions raised around the efficiency and clarity of the PCC’s financial performance.
Residents and frontline officers need to have confidence in how money is being spent by police leaders. If elected as the next PCC I will launch an immediate review into the efficiency of the force and the PCC office. I’ll put in place processes to ensure greater transparency and accountability, which will deliver better outcomes in reducing crime.
