Not content with the cut to funding for 2 Police Community Support Offices (PCSO’s), a decision strongly apposed in a vote by the Conservatives, Cllr FitzGerald Cabinet member for Community Services has now announced that the administration is proposing to pull MBC's contribution to the funding for 3 more PCSO’s in the hope that Kent Police will pick up the full cost.
These Officers operate in Tovil, Shepway and Parkwood, once again the residents of the South of Maidstone will be having to take the hits.
How likely is it that Kent Police will be able to find the funds for full funding in one round? All of this in the context of supposedly partnership working between MBC and Kent Police.
From my experience in South Ward, the PCSO has in the comparatively short time in post made a real and tangible difference. I will be strongly apposing any loss to community policing and invite the residents of South Ward and indeed the South of Maidstone to write to the Leader of the Council to express their concerns.
It would seem that the administrations priorities and concerns lie elsewhere than community safety and community policing.
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3 comments:
Bruce,
With regard to PCSO's, isn't it true that these were originally a 'bolt-on' service offered by the police. My understanding is that this has now changed and PCSO's are considered part of the core service to be provided by the Police.
If this is the case, surely Maidstone Council continuing to fund these officers, just means that the tax payer is in effect paying twice for the service?
Therefore, it seems to me that this is the correct decision.
I welcome your comments.
I may be wrong but I thought it was the job of the police to fund community safety. The Conservatives constantly shout that government does not give local government sufficient funds to provide its core services, see Paul Carter every year when the local government settlement is announced, so where in Maidstone's part of the settlement is the money for what is the role of the police.
It was a pity that the last council meeting was cancelled stating that there was 'no business to be transacted' this would have been an ideal opportunity to have had a debate on the subject of MBC's contribution to the Safer Maidstone Partnership.
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