South Wales Police funding consultation

This consultation relates to the amount residents contribute to policing through their Council Tax.
Half of the required budget for policing in South Wales comes from the UK Government, whilst the remaining amount needed is raised through Council Tax payments (police precept).
The Police & Crime Commissioner, Emma Wools, is responsible for setting the annual police budget and how much residents pay towards policing through Council Tax in South Wales. This budget not only funds the police service, but also the commissioning activities that help support crime reduction and victim services.
The funding raised really does make a difference – last yearʼs police precept contribution enabled us to:
Protect existing Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) numbers and maintain vital youth engagement programmes in schools.
Increase support to Youth Offending Teams to help prevent and reduce offending, reoffending and antisocial behaviour among children and young people.
Continue investment in vitally important preventative measures and programmes such as the ‘Driveʼ initiative – which works to change harmful behaviours in relationships and protects victims and survivors.
Strengthen Community Safety Partnerships across local authorities in South Wales, creating a more collaborative and coordinated approach to tackling and preventing crime.
Consultation summary
The role of the Police & Crime Commissioner
Despite the UK Governmentʼs recent announcement that the role of Police and Crime Commissioners will be abolished in 2028, our responsibilities and duties remain unchanged. We continue to be legally required to set the police budget and the annual council tax precept, ensuring South Wales Police is properly resourced to keep our communities safe.
The decisions we make this year will directly affect the service the public receives now and, in the years ahead. Itʼs vitally important that we continue to plan responsibly, maintain stability, and protect frontline policing throughout this period of transition.
Why should people take part?
It is important for residents in South Wales to share their views as funding decisions influence the amount paid towards policing as part of Council Tax. Before the Commissioner makes a decision on the police budget in January 2026, she wants to understand the level of support from residents for the proposed increases, in order to achieve a fair balance between whatʼs needed and what people can afford.
Why is the Commissioner consulting on three proposed increases?
The exact budget allocation from the UK Government for policing in South Wales for 2026/27 has not yet been confirmed and is expected to be announced mid-December.
As the Commissioner must finalise the budget by January 2026, she wants to ensure residents have enough time to review and consider her proposals before a decision is made. Whilst waiting for confirmation from the UK Government, three proposed increases have been prepared based on different funding scenarios.
How people can take part
To encourage as many people as possible to take part, weʼve provided a range of methods for participation:
Please note, the consultation closes on Wednesday 14 January 2026
Online
English
www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FundingSafetyTogether/
Welsh
www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CymraegCDG/
Paper copy and accessible versions
Paper copy of survey
Please contact our office to request a paper copy. Pre-paid envelopes can also
be provided upon request:
01656 869366 | engagement@south-wales.police.uk

Last modified: December 30, 2025