Police Community Support Officers in Warwickshire down by -24

Numbers Down

The number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on the streets has fallen dramatically by 28% since 2015. 

Analysis of new Home Office statistics commissioned by the Liberal Democrats from the House of Commons Library has shown the drastic cuts to PCSOs in Warwickshire.

A total of 62 full-time equivalent PCSOs were employed in Warwickshire as of September 2022. This is in stark contrast to the 87 that were employed in March 2015 – meaning there have been 24 PCSOs cut from Warwickshire in that time. 

The Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservative Government of letting communities in Warwickshire down by taking Police Community Support Officers off the streets, leading to more crimes going unsolved and victims going without justice

The same trend is being seen up and down the country, with the number of active PCSOs falling by an average of 33% in England and Wales since 2015. Nationally, England and Wales have lost 4,068 PCSOs since 2015.

Cllr Jerry Roodhouse has slammed the Conservatives for this move, which means that less police officers are visible on the streets, building relationships – and trust – with local people. The party has called for a return to proper community policing.

Responding to the figures, Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Warwickshire, said:

“These shocking figures prove that Conservative Ministers are yet again failing to prevent crime in Warwickshire. They should be ashamed.

“Police Community Support Officers play a vital role in keeping our communities safe. The Government should be empowering them to do their job, not slashing their numbers into oblivion.”

“Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible, trusted and known personally to local people. We will build communities where people are safe – and feel safe, too.”

ENDS 

Notes to Editors:

Source: Home Office, Police Workforce: England and Wales, Jan 2023, Table H7 (various editions) and Table 3. Strength figures include those staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leav

Free School Meals

Liberal Democrat Warwickshire County Council Group are calling for greater entitlement of free scool meals.Cllr Jerry Roodhouse said that

Support the campaign to expand free school meals

“The Liberal Democrat group on Warwickshire County Council are calling for greater Free School Meal access. We are calling for WCC to bring forward proposals that aim to significantly increase the take-up of Free School Meals, including considering the option of automatic opt-in and how this can lawfully be done and that the Government funds local authorities accordingly”

Cllr Roodhouse went on to say,

“With the increased costs on families the Government can quickly ensure that children get a meal and also the school gets extra pupil premium into its budget, it is a no brainer which can be implemented now”

Government acces and information https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Liberal Democrat priorities are to make Warwickshire:

  • Fairer ­– giving opportunities for all
  • Caring – for all our residents
  • Greener – accelerating the work needed

Act for Free School Meals

County Lib Dems call for action on Free School Meals

Cllrs Jerry Roodhouse & Kate Rolfe questioned the Conservative adminstration of Warwickshire County council to do more in getting support for Free School Meals and to lobby the Government.

Cllr Roodhouse stated that the Goverrnment need to invest more than £2.34 per meal. Jamie Oliver has also been calling for action as quoted by in this link BBC

Cllr Kate Rolfe wanted to know, With inflation for food now at 16% many families are being hit hard financially and free school meals play an increasingly important part in helping those families with children. For families on universal credit the current cut off point for eligibility is a household income of less than £7,400 per year, after tax and not including any benefits. This limit was fixed in 2018 and has not been increased. Will the Portflio Holder lobby government to increase this limit in line with inflation?

County video from the Council meeting

Parking Chaos

County Needs To act

Lib Dem Cllr Bill Gifford has been asking the question over car parking machines

“I am sure you are aware that many of the on-street parking machines in Leamington town centre and in other towns are not working and can only be used as a location for RingGo. This not only inconveniences shoppers – and older shoppers in particular – but it is also a barrier to people going to the town centre, at a time when many shops are already struggling. When does the County Council intend to repair or replace these parking machines so that those who can only pay by cash or card can do so?”

The Conservative asdminstration needs to Council video answer

Suopport towards Utilty Bills

We know that sudden unexpected costs can create real challenges for residents who are experiencing financial hardship.  Vouchers towards utility bills are available for families and households in Warwickshire using pre-payment meters, paying by direct debit or on receipt of bill. 

If you, or anyone you know, needs help please apply before 16 December. Call 0800 4081448 or 01926 359182 to talk to us in confidence.  

This support is provided by Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme and funded by the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund.    

www.warwickshire.gov.uk/localwelfarescheme 

Warm Banks Needed

We could use libratries and oth council owned proprty

County Councillors Jerry Roodhouse & Sarah Boad call for action on the cost of living.

Lib Dems at County have tabled a Council Motion: on the Cost of Living

This Council recognises that we are in the middle of the worst cost of living crisis for 50 years and that it is having a major effect on many local people:

This Council therefore calls for a local Cost-of-Living Emergency Summit to be arranged, with stakeholders, including Citizens Advice, Food Banks, Local Trades Unions, Chambers of Commerce and local MPs to explore how more local help can be provided for those struggling with the cost of living – including extending the use of discretionary payments.

This Council also notes that increasingly Local Authorities are developing ‘Library Plus or ‘Warm Bank’ schemes, to give residents a place to stay warm and keep the cost of bills at home down after school and during evenings and weekends. The Council requests  the Chief Executive  to develop a funded plan  for the use of ‘Warm Banks’ across the County which will include later opening for Libraries and other council owned buildings. where possible.

Finally this Council requests that the Leader writes to the Secretary of State expressing this Council’s concerns over the impact that the cost of living is having on residents and also writes to the Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority and Leaders of all other Local Authorities in the West Midlands Region asking them to pass similar motions so we can take a united stand as Local Government to force the Government to do more to help local people.