DORSET'S Police and Crime Commissioner says he is "encouraged" by emerging proposals putting forward what he calls a "fairer deal" for Government funding.

Martyn Underhill says he is pleased with initial proposals following the recent consultation over the funding formula used to allocate grant funding to police forces in England and Wales.

The Commissioner has long campaigned for a fairer funding deal from central government for Dorset Police, with the current formula in use being outdated, unfair and not fit for purpose.

He said he is glad that a number of elements from the Dorset submission to the consultation appear to have been included in the initial proposals being put forward by the Government to update the national formula.

Mr Underhill said this includes removal of the flawed method used to recognise each force area’s ability to raise money through council tax, but retention of the impact of the density of bars in a particular location.

He said: "I am encouraged by the initial proposals being put forward by the Government in relation to police funding nationally and, whilst the consultation remains ongoing, this potentially looks like a much fairer deal for Dorset Police and local communities.

"For example, if the initial proposals were implemented, this would see Dorset’s share of the national police funding increase from 0.83 per cent to 0.87 per cent - equivalent to an increase in grant funding of £2.8 million per year.

"The consultation remains ongoing however, and any final proposals will also be subject to transitional arrangements which will see the changes phased in over a period of time.

"It is also important to remember the wider funding context as well, with Dorset Police expecting to see a reduction of at least 25 per cent in their grant funding over the next four years when the next Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) is announced in November.

"It is therefore vital that Dorset receives better equality from the changes in funding formula."