Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner has proposed a 2.66% increase in the portion of council tax that pays for the police.
Ian Johnston initially wanted to increase the council tax precept by 2.99% when he presented his budget plans for 2014/15 to the Gwent Police and Crime Panel at a meeting on January 24.
Following feedback from panel members, Mr Johnston agreed to lower the increase to 2.66%, which was welcomed by the panel.
This works out as an extra 44p a month for Band D households.
Mr Johnston, said: “I am only too aware of the difficulties local authorities and families are going through in these times of austerity.
I listened carefully to the views of the Police and Crime Panel and following constructive discussions I was happy to decrease my recommendation to 2.66%. The panel endorsed this as a positive way forward which would assist the people of Gwent.”
The policing budget for Gwent in 2014/15 is proposed to be set at £119.5 million – with nearly two thirds, just over £76.8m, coming from the UK Government. The rest is made up from the collection of the Police Precept element of the Council Tax.
Cuts in grant funding from the UK and Welsh Governments means £3.8m less for Gwent Police in 2014/15.
The Gwent Police and Crime Panel will now review the proposed precept and make a report to the Commissioner on the proposed precept by February 8.
Is this to cover his pay rise??