PLANS to increase council tax to pay for police services will be put forward at a meeting next week.
Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams said the proposals would see an average Band D property pay an extra £14 per year.
The precept – the share of the council tax bill paid to fund Staffordshire Police – will be presented at a meeting of the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel on Monday.
The commissioner said:
“It is my duty to secure effective and efficient police and fire and rescue services that ensure community needs are met while commissioning services to prevent crime, reduce anti-social behaviour and support victims.
“I know from my council tax consultation that Staffordshire residents want their police service to keep improving, to further increase officer numbers and to evolve so that they can address local priorities.
“Regrettably, next year, central government grants will not cover increases in pay, National Insurance and inflation, while it appears that General Election promises to expand neighbourhood policing will not be fully funded.
“I aim to always keep council tax as low as possible and I am very aware of the pressures on household budgets. However, due to some significant uncertainties and new financial pressures, I am proposing to increase the policing element of the council tax bill this year by 27 pence per week for a band D property.
“Not to take these measures now will mean bigger cuts in service and potentially bigger council tax increases in the future.”
The meeting will be streamed online from 10am.
The panel will meet again to discuss the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue precept on 10th February.
