Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill have launched a consultation to ask the residents for their views on paying a slight increase in their precept \u2013 the part of a council tax bill that funds local police \u2013 in order to deliver a prudent budget.<\/p>\n
The commissioner, along with members of his team and volunteers, will be visiting supermarkets and shopping centres across Dorset but anyone who won\u2019t be able to attend will be able to ask questions online during a special webchat.<\/p>\n
The ‘Road Show’ won’t be visiting Verwood but it will make its way to Tesco at Ferndown on Tuesday 7th January from noon till 2pm.<\/p>\n
Martyn Underhill said: \u201cIt\u2019s important I get as wide a range of views as possible and find out what the people of Dorset feel about these proposals. I\u2019m asking everyone to take a couple of minutes to complete my survey online but we\u2019re also going to be out and about to talk to people face to face.\u201d<\/p>\n
The team will be at the following locations:<\/em><\/p>\n Christchurch, Waitrose, Monday 6 January 9.30-11.30am Anyone who wants to ask the Police and Crime Commissioner about the precept proposal during a webchat held from 6.30-7.30pm on Monday January 13 can do so by visiting dorsetpccwebchat.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The consultation is being held in the face of uncertainty as Dorset Police\u2019s annual settlement from central government, which provides the bulk of funding for the Force, has been delayed following the General Election.<\/p>\n Martyn Underhill added: \u201cAlthough this situation is far from ideal, it is essential I take a prudent approach and make sure the Force is able to deliver a balanced budget.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile of course I welcome recent announcements of extra police officers, I need to make sure the Force can pay for them in the long term and that has also been taken into consideration.<\/p>\n \u201cIn order that the Force can not only maintain its levels of service, but also enhance it with new officers, additional funding is required and \u2013 although I would love to be surprised \u2013 I fear this will not come from central government when the settlements are announced.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBournemouth, Tesco Extra (Riverside), Monday 6 January, noon-2pm
\nPoole, Dolphin Centre, Monday 6 January, 3-5pm
\nFerndown, Tesco, Tuesday 7 January, noon-2pm
\nWimborne, Waitrose, Tuesday 7 January, 3-5pm
\nBlandford Forum, Tesco, Wednesday 8 January, noon-2pm
\nDorchester, Tesco, Wednesday 8 January, 3-5pm
\nBridport, Morrisons, Thursday 9 January, 10am-noon
\nWeymouth, Asda, Thursday 9 January, 1-2.30pm
\nPortland, Tesco, Thursday 9 January, 3.30-5pm
\nSherborne, Waitrose, Friday 10 January, 10am-noon
\nGillingham, Waitrose, Friday 10 January, 1-3pm
\nSwanage, Co-op, Monday 13 January, 10am-noon
\nWareham, Sainsbury\u2019s, Monday 13 January, 1-3pm<\/p>\n