Police tax bill set for inflation-busting rise

THE public have supported a double-the-rate-of-inflation increase in what they contribute to the funding of Warwickshire Police - but the force may still have to lose ten officers.

An online survey shows that 70 per cent of the 1,500 people who responded back a 6.25 per cent increase, with 7.3 per cent in favour of a 5.21 per cent increase and 14 per cent in favour of the lowest proposed increase of 4.17 per cent.

A further 7.9 per cent of respondents said they would prefer not to see any increase.

Last year there was no increase in the police share of annual council tax bills.

The current rate of inflation is around three per cent.

Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Seccombe, who sets the force budget, said without the increase the county would lose up to 60 officers, but with it it will safeguard 50 of those jobs.

“From the results and the comments received, it’s clear that the public wants to see more police on their streets and for officers to continue to focus on tackling the issues that matter most to local communities.

“While increases in council tax are never welcome, the majority of the responses received from the public support my assessment that in order to safeguard the continued delivery of an effective service to the public, Warwickshire Police needs more funding.

"The consultation has also shown strong support for a proposed maximum increase of 6.25 per cent, which is the equivalent of a pound extra a month for Band D taxpayers.

"I will therefore be looking to take this option forward.

“Without a cash boost of this scale, Warwickshire Police would face having to lose around 60 police officer posts over the medium term – a position that would leave the force having to make very difficult choices over a reduced the level of service to the public.

"I do not think this is acceptable and the consultation clearly backs up that this is not what the public or local businesses would want to see either.

“Through the detailed consultations I have had with the Chief Constable, I am now more confident that the proposed precept increase would allow an even greater proportion of police officers to be retained than initially envisaged, safeguarding some 50 officer posts, which can only be good news."

A final decision will be made at a meeting of the Police and Crime Panel today, Thursday.

Stratford District Council and Warwickshire County Council have yet to set their budgets, but have indicated their increases would be one per cent and four per cent, respectively.

Town and parish councils also add to final bills.

For every £1 paid in 2017/18, Warwickshire County Council took 77p, the police 11.4p, the district council 8.1p, and parish and town councils took 3.5p.