The reserves strategy is a plan which details how the Police and Crime Commissioner intends to use reserves. This became a requirement from 2018.

As part of the annual budget process the PCC considers and approves a strategy for General Balances, Reserves and Provisions. General balances are maintained as a matter of prudence.

They enable the PCC to provide for cash flow fluctuations and unexpected costly events and thereby help protect the PCC and Force from overspending the annual budget, should such events occur. Reserves and provisions are retained for specific purposes or for known future financial obligations respectively.

The PCC adopts a risk based approach to determine the appropriateness of the levels to be retained, including the minimum acceptable level of general balances. As a consequence, the Chief Finance Officer and Chief Constable review all balances, reserves and provisions as part of the budget setting process and again as part of producing the annual Statement of Accounts.

2022/23 Reserve Strategy

Details of the strategy, including details of the levels of reserves held, planned utilisation of reserves compliance with Home Office guidance on police reserves, can be found within section 3.6 (Appendix F) of the 2022/23 budget report

Statement of Accounts 2020/21

The level of reserves held at year end are also detailed within the notes to the Statement of Accounts.

Following the publication of the Statement of Accounts the appendix showing that the PCC is compliant with the Home Office guidance on police reserves has been restated. Please click here to see restated appendix.

2021/22 Reserve Strategy

Details of the strategy, including details of the levels of reserves held, planned utilisation of reserves compliance with Home Office guidance on police reserves, can be found within section 3.6 (Appendix F) of the Budget documents for 2021/22.

Statement of Accounts 2019/20

The level of reserves held at year end are also detailed within the notes to the Statement of Accounts.

Following the publication of the Statement of Accounts the appendix showing that the PCC is compliant with the Home Office guidance on police reserves has been restated. Please click here to see restated appendix.

2020/21 Reserve Strategy

Details of the strategy, including details of the levels of reserves held, planned utilisation of reserves compliance with Home Office guidance on police reserves, can be found within section 3.5 (Appendix F) of the Budget documents for 2020/21.

Statement of Accounts 2018/19

The level of reserves held at year end are also detailed within the notes to the Statement of Accounts.

Following the publication of the Statement of Accounts the appendix showing that the PCC is compliant with the Home Office guidance on police reserves has been restated. Please click here to see restated appendix.

2019/20 Reserve Strategy

Details of the strategy, including details of the levels of reserves held, planned utilisation of reserves compliance with Home Office guidance on police reserves, can be found within section 3.5 (Appendix G) of the Budget documents for 2019/20.

Statement of Accounts 2017/18

The level of reserves held at year end are also detailed within the notes to the Statement of Accounts.

Following the publication of the Statement of Accounts the appendix showing that the PCC is compliant with the Home Office guidance on police reserves has been restated. Please click here to see restated appendix.

2018/19 Reserve Strategy

Details of the strategy, including details of the levels of reserves held, can be found within section 3.5 (Appendix F) of the Budget documents for 2018/19.

An addendum to the Reserve Strategy is attached to provide greater clarification that the PCC is compliant with Home Office guidance on police reserves. This addendum will be incorporated in to future Reserve Strategies. Please click here to see the Reserves Strategy Addendum.