- Essex Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner

Report reference number:: 129 – 23
Classification:: Not protectively marked
Title of report:: Project Grip – Year 2 Grant payment to the ~Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner of Essex Police – Delivery Plan Area
Area of county / stakeholders affected:: Countywide
Report by:: Detective Chief Inspector Neal Miller
Date of report:: 21.07.2023
Enquiries to:: [email protected]

1. Executive Summary

1.1. This report seeks approval to accept, sign and deliver year 2 of the Home Office Grant funding to tackle serious violence across Essex. This grant forms a continuation of the Grip 3-year programme and allows a maximum grant available to claim this year is £795,706, this will be in addition to match funding at 30% (£238,712) and will result in a total investment, including match funding, of £1,034,418.

2. Recommendations

2.1. That the PFCC grants approval for the force representative to sign the grant variation notice and claim the £795,706 grant funding available as the second year of Home Office Grip funding.

3. Background to the Proposal

3.1. In April 2022, Essex Police successfully applied for Project Grip multi-year funding (22/23-24/25). The purpose of the grant was to target the most serious violence hotspots in Essex over a 3-year funded programme.

3.2. The total value of the grant available and approved was £2.22 million over three years. The application process formed a multi -year plan, which was both approved and signed by the Home Office and PFCC on 4th August 2022.

3.3. The purpose of this decision report is for the PFCC to agree to claim year 2 funding of the Project Grip allocation.

3.4. The year 2 grant started on 1st April 2023, and we have made strong progress in implementation since. The breakdown of financial costs are included in the financial details below.

4. Police Operational Implications

4.1. As this is a continuation of existing successful operational activity there are no new operational implications beyond those already in place for year 1 of the programme.

5. Financial implications

5.1. Match funding has increased by 10%, and this year will be 30%. This will be met by BAU patrol resources as set out above.

6. Legal Implications

6.1. This funding will be subject to the conditions set out in the grant variation letter attached to this decision report and include a 30% match funding contribution.

7. Risks and Mitigations

7.1. There is a risk that this relatively short-term funding is not sustained after the stated funding period. However, early indication suggests that further funding will become available post March 2025.

8. Governance Boards

8.1. This funding is managed through the Chief Officer Group and Home Office, Serious Violence Reduction Unit – Public Safety Group. The Operation Grip activity is overseen in the force through the Chief Officer Group and scrutinised through the PFCC’s scrutiny programme. As such it regularly features at the PFCC’s Performance and Resource Boards.

9.Links to Future Plans

9.1. This work supports delivery of the Police and Crime Plan and the Essex reduction of serious violence strategy 2020-25.

10.Background Papers and Appendices

Original Grip funding letter to PFCC, from The Rt Hon Kit Malthouse MP
dated 17/02/2022 outlining Essex Polices eligibility.
Essex Grip funding
letter 2022-23 to 202
2023-24 Essex Grant Offer Letter Final
2023-24 Essex Grant
Offer Letter FINAL.pdf

This documents are available in an accessible format on request .