I have welcomed the Government’s announcement of increased funding and flexibility around the levels of Police precept for policing across the West Midlands.
Following the announcement, I have written to the Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson and the West Midlands Chief Constable, Dave Thompson to ensure that the new resources are shared equally across the West Midlands.
The announcement of increased resources for the West Midlands Police is to be welcomed and I would like to see a commitment from the Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure that these increased funds are distributed equally across the West Midlands ensuring that there is a fair share for my constituency of Aldridge-Brownhills.
Throughout 2017 there has been a spate of incidents across Aldridge-Brownhills which understandably caused concern locally and residents from my constituency deserve a fair share of these increased resources.
I also believe that it is now incumbent on the West Midlands Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to reconsider support for Remembrance Day Parades across the Borough of Walsall.
Residents from across Aldridge-Brownhills were left feeling disappointed by the decision of Walsall Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner this year to not fund their Remembrance Day Parades. Had it not been for the dedication of a number of volunteers and the generosity of the funds raised locally then we would not have been able to hold the annual Act of Remembrance parades.
It is unacceptable to me as a Member of Parliament that our National Day of Remembrance can only be funded through the charity of others and I am therefore calling on the Police and Crime Commissioner in the West Midlands to reconsider their position and guarantee to the residents of Aldridge-Brownhills that on Sunday 11th November 2018 our Remembrance Day Parade will once again be funded.