Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner makes cuts saving £300k
Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner is making changes to his office which will save £300,000 in funding.
Jonathan Ash-Edwards says he has reduced the size of his office by 18% and says the money will be reallocated.
A spokesperson for the commissioner said the changes have been in the works for months and predates recent news that the Government is planning to axe the position from all forces across the country.
Previously Commissioner Ash-Edwards has said he is ‘concerned’ about the potential closure of the Hertfordshire commissioner role. He said the move could weaken scrutiny on the police force in Hertfordshire and lead to ‘centralised’ policy decisions being made which don’t reflect ‘Hertfordshire’s priorities’.
Commissioner Ash-Edwards did not release specifics on how the cuts were achieved, but said he had ‘streamlined’ his team to deliver better value for money.
He said: “While politicians normally expand their offices, I’ve done the opposite by cutting mine by 18% to free up over £300,000. Since my election, I’ve been modernising how the role of PCC works, with a firm focus on the public’s priorities. Taxpayers believe that public service should always provide value for money, and I agree.
“My priority is to make every pound count for the people of Hertfordshire and freeing up more money for policing and community safety is the right thing to do.
“Over the next 29 months, I am fully committed to delivering on the priorities in the Police & Crime Plan and working to make Hertfordshire safer. It’s important that I have the right team in place to support me with that work.”