THE Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon (OPCC) has cost taxpayers less than the former Wiltshire Police Authority, according to a report by a pressure group.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance compared the running costs of the 41 PCC offices in England and Wales for the financial year 2013-14 with the cost of the police authorities they replaced.
The study shows that the Office of Wiltshire and Swindon PCC Angus Macpherson cost £140,289 less than the former Wiltshire Police Authority in its final year, a drop of 16.2 per cent. This compares to an average increase in costs across the 41 offices in England and Wales of £46,638 (up 5.4 per cent).
Mr Macpherson said: “Since my election I have been working to reduce the cost to the public in Wiltshire and Swindon of the governance of the police. I am proud that the cost of governance was £140,000 less in 2013-14 than in the previous year.
“The money saved has been used instead to fight crime and support the victims of crime.
“There has also been a reduction in indirect costs caused by tying up senior officers in interminable meetings.
“Through my fortnightly Board meeting with the chief constable and senior officers, I make the decisions required without tortuous debate through a committee system.”
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