The portion of council tax that pays for local policing is to rise next year by 2.66%.
The increase, which equates to £5.14 for an average property, was agreed at a meeting of the Gwent Police and Crime Panel on Friday.
Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston said: “Setting the budget is one of the most important functions of my role. Since I took up the post of Police and Crime Commissioner much of my time has been spent reviewing the financial challenges facing the Force and working through the complex financial arrangements which go into producing a balanced and responsible budget. This has involved working closely with the chief officer team and also liaising closely with the local authorities.
“During my election campaign I pledged that I would do all I can to ensure that the public doesn’t need to pay any more than they have to for their policing service.
“In considering the precept I have sought to balance the financial challenges being faced by residents of Gwent with the need for Gwent Police to provide the public with an effective, efficient, and sustainable service.
“Although under statute council tax has to be set annually, I have in the interest of longer-term sustainability given due consideration to financial projections over several years and I am satisfied that over the medium-term the further expected cuts in Home Office and Welsh Government grants are balanced by realistic efficiency savings’ targets and modest uniform increases in council tax.
”My proposed council tax precept of £40.997m will add to the Home Office Police Grant of £47.068m and Welsh Government Revenue Support Grant and re-distributed business rates of £15.853m and £16.398m, respectively, to produce total general funding of £120.316m.
“Amongst other things the budget will enable Gwent Police to recruit an additional 24 police officers who will be deployed as part of local neighbourhood policing teams.
“The settlement also allows me to challenge the Chief Constable and her team to build on their recent successes in cutting crime and anti-social behaviour. On behalf of Gwent residents I will be pressing for more in the way of crime reduction and overall performance.
The average Gwent household will pay £198.23 for police service.
Also agreed unanimously at the panel meeting, which took place at the council offices in Ystrad Mynach, was Mr Johnston’s recommendation that a Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner be appointed.
Former police officer Paul Harris will take up the £52,000 a year role.
Mr Harris was a police officer in Gwent between 1976 and 1998 and left the force as a detective chief inspector. He has worked with the National criminal intelligence service and the serious organised crime agency on secondment in The Hague in the Netherlands. Prior to taking up this post Mr Harris had worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Police and Crime Commissioner Mr Johnston said: “I welcome the Police and Crime Panel’s positive comments and their decision to ratify my decision to appoint Paul Harris as my Deputy.
“Paul brings with him a wealth of experience and understanding of the role, as well as an excellent track record of getting the job done.
“These things will be vital as we move forward and ensure that the public of Gwent is served by the best possible Police service.
“I’m very much looking forward to working with Paul.”
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Paul Harris added: “I’m delighted to have been appointed to the post. This is a new and very challenging role with a real opportunity to make a difference for the people of Gwent.
“During his campaign Ian pledged that he would help ensure that Gwent is served by an excellent Police service which provides value for money and stands up for victims and vulnerable people.
“I look forward to working with him to deliver exactly that.”