The cost of Gwent Police is set to rise by more than £8 a household after a 3.9% council tax hike.
Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Ian Johnston called for a rise in the money paid to the police, known as the council tax precept, after blasting UK Government cuts to the force.
Today, January 23, this was supported by the Police and Crime Panel for Gwent.
The hike means the average household will pay more than £211 for their policing in 2014/15, having already seen a 2.6% rise for 2013/14.
Local politicians have previously claimed that residents are being forced to “pay twice” for police cuts, losing officers on the street and having to pay more tax.
PCC Ian Johnston said: “Whilst acutely conscious of the current difficult economic climate facing the public, I needed to set the police precept at an amount which will maintain, as far as possible, the policing service provided to Gwent residents.
“When making my decision, I was mindful of the continuing requirement to make significant additional savings to the police budget, as a result of the on-going funding cuts that are being inflicted upon Gwent Police by the Government.
“A freeze in the precept was not a sustainable option and would have undermined my ability to meet the priorities outlined in my police and crime plan.”
Cllr John Guy, Chair of the Gwent Police and Crime Panel said: “The panel faced a difficult decision but supported the commissioner’s precept increase to ensure delivery of his police and crime plan and that Gwent Police have the necessary resources to continue to reassure and protect our residents.
“In addition, the panel will be working closely with Mr Johnston throughout the year ahead to monitor the budget and assist in identifying further non operational efficiency savings.”
The police’s council tax precept is in addition to council tax set by local authorities and Caerphilly County Borough Council have also proposed a 3.9% hike for 2014/15.
This will be discussed, alongside £13m cuts at a budget meeting next month.
I am sure the Crime and Police Commissioner did`nt mean to suggest that this hike in the Police precept was his decsion?, he said, “When making my decision”
I thought these decisions were made by our elected Councillors appointed to the Committee, by constituent Councils, to which the Commissioner is answerable on our behalf?.
The Commissioner is not entitled to levy any precept, that is the job of Elected Councillors who are themselves answerablecto the electorate, and without that authority no inceases in the precept would be happen.
All Commissioners are elected as representatives of the people. They are not police officers and they do not have the authority of our elected Councillors, so I am sure the Article did not mean to suggest that this increased fiscal imposition was a decision made by the Commissioner, but, more a recommendation?. and I wonder if this increase would have been needed at all if the UK contributions ( which come from the tax pot we all pay into) had been so severely cut back?.
Extra costs for policing yet there are still longer response times, fewer bobbies on the beat, and more scandals.