Progress being made on future funding of PCSO
By Chris Young
PCSO funding is not going to waste, Odd Rode Parish Councillors have been reassured.
It follows their concerns that a possible 16% rise in the cost of funding the area's PCSO could mean parish taxpayers were not getting value for money.
At a council meeting last Wednesday it was announced the police needed council funding for the post to rise from £11,000 to £12,700.
Odd Rode Parish Council covers Rode Heath, Scholar Green, Mow Cop and Mount Pleasant and has one PCSO, Claire Ford, who was recruited in 2006 after public opinion called for a greater police presence in the area.
However, she is often used for policing matters in neighbouring towns like Sandbach and Alsager. This has led to worries that Odd Rode taxpayers were not getting their money's worth.
Several councillors met with the head of Congleton neighbourhood policing unit Insp Matt Welsted last week to discuss their concerns.
After the meeting, the councillors were said to be "reasonably happy" with the progress that had been made, including a likely reduction in the increase of next year's costs to £11,800 and assurance that service would soon pick up.
Insp Welsted told the council that if the funding was stopped, police would still cover the area, but it would be a "reactive" rather than "pro-active" service - responding to calls rather than engaging in regular patrols.
PCSOs are used as a non-confrontational police presence, and are seen by the police as an important part of community safety.
The parish council will make a decision on whether to continue the funding at a precept meeting on Wednesday, 11th November.
? PSCO Ford has asked for assistance in identifying suitable premises to hold a police surgery in the Mow Cop/Mount Pleasant area.
PCSO funding is not going to waste, Odd Rode Parish Councillors have been reassured.
It follows their concerns that a possible 16% rise in the cost of funding the area's PCSO could mean parish taxpayers were not getting value for money.
At a council meeting last Wednesday it was announced the police needed council funding for the post to rise from £11,000 to £12,700.
Odd Rode Parish Council covers Rode Heath, Scholar Green, Mow Cop and Mount Pleasant and has one PCSO, Claire Ford, who was recruited in 2006 after public opinion called for a greater police presence in the area.
However, she is often used for policing matters in neighbouring towns like Sandbach and Alsager. This has led to worries that Odd Rode taxpayers were not getting their money's worth.
Several councillors met with the head of Congleton neighbourhood policing unit Insp Matt Welsted last week to discuss their concerns.
After the meeting, the councillors were said to be "reasonably happy" with the progress that had been made, including a likely reduction in the increase of next year's costs to £11,800 and assurance that service would soon pick up.
Insp Welsted told the council that if the funding was stopped, police would still cover the area, but it would be a "reactive" rather than "pro-active" service - responding to calls rather than engaging in regular patrols.
PCSOs are used as a non-confrontational police presence, and are seen by the police as an important part of community safety.
The parish council will make a decision on whether to continue the funding at a precept meeting on Wednesday, 11th November.
? PSCO Ford has asked for assistance in identifying suitable premises to hold a police surgery in the Mow Cop/Mount Pleasant area.
