POLICE in Cheshire must make £1m in savings this year to balance their budget.
Cheshire Police Authority chairman Peter Nurse said the credit crunch, rising inflation and a Council Tax cap mean they have to curtail their planned spending.
He said: “For 2009, the Government has increased the grant for policing by 2.5% and has limited our Council Tax increase to a maximum of 3%, an extra 8p per week on a Band D household.
“The credit crunch has also affected policing and, like everyone, we have had to manage the effects of higher inflation. The increased money from the Government and from Council Tax will not cover inflation.”
The authority will work with new chief constable David Whatton to identify savings.
Mr Nurse added: “The additional Council Tax investment made in 2008 will be protected and we are seeking to maintain officer numbers, but we will have to find more savings from cuts in our support services by redesigning our administrative and business services.”
