Proposal to freeze what YOU must pay for Humberside police and crime fighting during year from April
Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove is to propose a freeze of the police precept of the council tax for 2013/14.
Mr Grove will make the proposal to the Police and Crime Panel to freeze the police precept and take up the offer of a government grant of £503,000 to fund policing in each of the next two years. A B and D taxpayer's will therefore pay £173.12, the same as this year, for policing within their overall council tax in 2013/14.
He said during consultation for his Police and Crime plan, he found the public were 'vehemently' against any increase.
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Explaining the reasons behind his proposal Matthew said: "Following the Comprehensive Spending review the Humberside Police Authority worked with the Chief Constable Tim Hollis to plan budget cuts of around £30 million through managed reductions and consistently delivered savings to targets.
"As part of their strategy the Authority increased the precept in this financial year by just under 4% and retained substantial reserves. This allowed me to inherit a relatively sound financial position and I am grateful for that.
"I said in my election campaign that I would look closely at more efficient ways of working, which will deliver the most effective police service to the people of our area, before taking more money out of residents pockets than they could afford.
"Even though the amounts involved in any increase in respect of policing may be small, in today's tough financial climate the last thing I want to do is ask hard-pressed families to dig deeper and I appreciate that any extra costs would be unwelcome.
"Realistically, I have a choice of two options for the precept next year:
1. Freeze the precept. This entitles me to a government grant of £503,000 per year for the next 2 years.2. Raise the precept by 2%. This would mean an increase of £3.46 (7p per week) for a Band D taxpayer. It would generate £836,000 next year in council tax but the government grant of £503,000 would be lost.
"I have asked the public for their views as part of the consultation on the Police and Crime Plan and there has been a mixed response with some prepared to pay more and some vehemently against any increase.
"I have considered all the information put before me, the overall financial position and listened to the views of community partners and the public. I have decided that through a combination of working with the new Chief Constable to effectively manage the force budget, partnership working and utilising reserves, I will not need to go to the taxpayer for funding this year.
" I am therefore submitting my proposal to freeze the precept to the Police and Crime Panel."
3 Comments
by Ellie408
Thursday, January 31 2013, 5:12PM
“ewbfchamp - there is no rise in the council tax, but the police, fire service and parish councils can increase their precepts, which is seperate to the council tax. Our parish precept has increased the last 2 years therefore our actual tax bill has increased. This year they are not increasing....for a change.”
by miss_frosty1
Thursday, January 31 2013, 2:44PM
“He certainly hasn't asked my views on this, how many more of the public has he asked, I bet the answer is none!!!”
by ewbfchamp
Thursday, January 31 2013, 1:05PM
“Unless I have been given the wrong info,I understand there is to be no rise in Council Tax for 2013/14 anyway ????”