Police and Crime Commissioner proposes rise in policing part of council tax

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson, is considering an increase in the police and crime element of council tax of £3.06 a year for the average home (a band D property) – this amounts to six pence a week for that band of property.

He has begun (January 6) a public consultation on the cost of policing during the financial year 2015-16.  The proposal is designed to help reduce the impact of “significant central government grant reductions” on policing and crime services in Wiltshire and Swindon.

This increase would provide the Commissioner with an additional £345,000 of local income for 2015-16. It would still be the lowest council tax rate for police and crime services in the south west.

The current rate of police and crime council tax for an average band D home in Wiltshire and Swindon is £160.92. This would increase to £163.98 under the proposal.

Announcing the proposed rise, Mr Macpherson said: “After a careful review of our budget, it is clear that we have to look at a small increase in the police and crime element of council tax to offset further cuts in central government funding in the coming year.”

“I believe people will be willing to pay just a little more for the policing of their area. I want to ensure that the money raised locally is used for local policing – that is Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Response officers.”

“We know that we have to make further significant savings and we will seek to achieve those savings from the policing services that are funded centrally by the government and delivered regionally.

The consultation will last to Wednesday, February 4. The Commissioner and his staff will attend Wiltshire Council Area Boards and Swindon Borough Council Locality meetings to talk to the public about the proposal.

Parish and town councils and chambers of commerce will also be invited to contribute to the consultation. There is more about the proposal and give their views on the Commissioner’s website.

Marlborough Town Council has agreed a rise of 2.2 percent in their part of next year’s council tax – this also equates to about six pence a week.  The main part of council tax, that levied by the unitary council, is still frozen – as promised by the Conservatives during their 2013 election campaign.