Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen, has launched a council tax consultation for 2026-27.
The consultation is asking for residents to support an increase of £14.94 per year for a Band D Property – the equivalent of £1.25 a month, launching today (Tuesday 23 December) and will be open to the public until Friday 23rd January at 5pm.
Commissioner David Allen said: “As Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, I prepare the annual budget 2026-27. Part of this budget includes setting the council tax precept for policing – paid for by you, the residents of Cumbria. Therefore, it is only right and fair that I ask you what you are willing to pay for.
“I believe that Cumbria deserves strong public services that protect our communities and keep us safe, and we should never do public safety on the cheap.
“In 2025, I’ve hosted 23 surgeries and attended 143 engagements to meet residents, and they regularly tell me the same thing: they want to see their local officers again. Despite the challenging financial position, the Constabulary has worked hard this year to deliver meaningful improvements.
“Increasing the number of Community Beat Officers in the current financial year from 58 to 84 and adding 16 more PCSOs to our Neighbourhood Policing Teams has provided more opportunity to reduce anti-social behaviour in key hotspots, carry out targeted operations on rural crime, and strengthen relationships between officers and the public. Cumbria now has more police on the streets than ever before with 1,401 full-time equivalent officers.
“We have also seen: more visible patrols in rural and market town centres; successful joint operations that disrupted serious organised crime and taking out drug dealers across Cumbria; new technology that helps officers spend more time on patrol and less time on paperwork; more support for victims, with specialist support for victims of domestic abuse now in place since I entered office.
“However, looking ahead, we still face significant financial pressures.
“Through prudent financial management and careful planning, I have overseen the reduction of the budget deficit from £16m to £11m and I will continue to ensure further savings are achieved to ensure every penny is spent in delivering the police service the county deserves. Work continues to ensure that these savings do not fall on frontline policing. I have already matched the required savings within my own office, ensuring reductions that do not touch frontline policing.
“For 2026/27, I am proposing an increase of £14.94 per year for a Band D property.
This is equivalent to £1.25 per month, less than a first-class stamp, or just over 4p per day.
“This increase will help protect and maintain neighbourhood policing and ensure that the improvements we have made are not lost. Without it, cuts would be unavoidable and would affect the services the Constabulary can provide.
“Cumbria remains one of the safest places in the country because of the commitment of our officers and staff and because we invest in the right areas. I see their professionalism and dedication every day. I will not allow that to be undermined.
“Protecting Cumbria is my number one priority. With your support, we can continue to rebuild, reinvest and strengthen the policing that keeps our county safe.
“Please take a couple of minutes to complete this consultation – I want to hear your views.”
A consultation has been launched asking for public support for the increase. Residents can complete the survey online or call 01768 217734 or email commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk to obtain a paper copy. The deadline to complete for the survey is Friday 23rd January at 5pm.