Dyfed-Powys Police Authority held a public meeting in their offices at Police Headquarters in Llangunnor, Carmarthen last week. The purpose of the meeting was to confirm the policing priorities and budget that has now been set for 2010/11.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ken Howell, an independent police authority member for the Carmarthenshire area. The audience heard a number of presentations and then had the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of Police Authority representatives and senior police officers, including the Chief Constable, Ian Arundale.

Commander of Carmarthenshire division, Chief Superintendent Steve Mears explained how his division had performed against the priorities set by the Police Authority for 2009/10, namely tackling Class A drugs, reducing anti-social behaviour and reducing violent crime.

There was also a presentation on the priorities that the Police Authority set for the Police Force for 2010/11 at its meeting on February 15. Following extensive public consultation, the Police Authority has maintained the priorities set last year. In addition, they set the Force the task of continued effective delivery of the Policing Pledge; the 10 minimum standards that the public should expect to receive from their local policing service.

Finally, there was a brief presentation surrounding the budget for next year, as well as the police increase in council tax which has been set at 4.46 per cent.

It was stressed that whilst the financial position for next year was optimistic at present, it would be unrealistic to believe that this situation would continue. The Police Authority and Force would need to make over £9 million of cashable savings in the forthcoming years. This meant that, whilst every effort would be made to maintain frontline services, difficult choices lay ahead in terms of how money could be saved.

The members of the public who attended the meeting welcomed the honesty of the Police Authority and Force in relation to the current financial situation. The public asked for assurance that the Police Authority would ensure that value for money was achieved in relation to the delivery of policing services and where possible frontline services would be maintained.

Both the Police Authority and Force confirmed that both of these issues were paramount when considering budget allocations and priorities for future years.

Mr. Ken Howell, the chair of the meeting, said: "The Police Authority felt that the meeting was very constructive and helped us to understand the issues that are most important for the public in relation to their local policing service.

"The Police Authority will continue to hold the Chief Constable to account in terms of how the Force is performing against the local policing priorities set and ensure that the public's council tax is spent wisely to deliver a service that reflects local concerns."

If you require any further information surrounding the meeting and the issues discussed, please contact the Police Authority on 01267 226440 or [email protected]">[email protected]