Calling time on the PCSOs?

Tonight's meeting of Boston's Policy Development Committee is being asked to recommend ending further funding of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams with effect from 2008/2009 or continue for just one more year after which any future funding will be subject to a full review of the impact of the cessation of the funding by other agencies, particularly the County Council, at the end of 2009/2010.
A report says that over the last three years Boston Borough Council has contributed £81,200 which, with the contribution from Lincolnshire County Council has lead (sic) to an extra 59 PCSOs in Lincolnshire, nine of them in the borough.
In Boston there are currently 15 full time and 1 part time PCSOs, in five different teams - more than double the number before the borough's contribution, with each PCSO earning around £20,000.
The neighbourhood policing teams run 11 panels dealing with community concerns and issues; enforce the town centre booze ban and issue litter tickets. They deal with low scale anti-social behaviour, including neighbourhood disputes, and problems with young people. They also work with other agencies to investigate and gather evidence for ASBOs, visit community groups, schools and other organisations and gather information and intelligence "to assist in police operation and tension monitoring. "
Lincolnshire Police - motto: "refero vel capiemus viaticus usquam" (pay up or we'll take the money anyway") - wants another £30,400 for 2009/10 and say they anticipate yearly recurring requests for funding from councils if the neighbourhood policing teams are to continue in the present form.
If Boston Borough Council refuses more funding, the police say it would mean the loss of at least one PCSO post. The report concludes that the council has financially supported and worked closely with the neighbourhood policing teams over the past three years and also contributes significantly towards ensuring Boston is a safe place - for example the council fully funds the cost of the CCTV service at about £290,000 a year. It also provides a community safety team at a cost of £172,000. The report says funding the PCSO’s would need extra money which is not in budget proposals for 2009/2010, and adds that the loss of one PCSO would not be a significant. We think that PCSOs are mostly cosmetic in the war on crime, and about as much use as a chocolate teapot. We know people in various areas of the borough who have seldom - if ever - seen their PCSO, and commonsense says this is a saving that the council could and should easily make. However, ewe suspect the decision will be to fall in with the Council Council ... it usually is!
Whilst this item is thoroughly, not to say verbosely, written up, the same cannot be said for item 9 on the agenda - " Assembly Rooms Options Going Forward."
Apparently this matter is so sensitive that the press and public will be thrown out the the meeting so that it can be discussed away from our grubby ears.

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