Council Tax set to rise by about 6p per week for policing


Click for PCC website

Click for PCC website

As reported by the Bucks Free Press, the police element of council tax will be rising by 1.99% to protect the frontline.

The story does not explain that the rise is about £3.19 per year for a band D property, or about 6p each week.

Our Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld is responsible to the public at the ballot box for policing in the Thames Valley. As set out on his website:

The job of the PCC is to ensure that the policing needs of their communities are met as effectively as possible.

He will aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within the force area. He will do this by:

  • holding the chief constable to account for the delivery of the force
  • setting and updating a police and crime plan
  • setting the force budget and precept
  • regularly engaging with the public and communities
  • appointing, and where necessary dismissing, the chief constable

The PCC will also work with partner organisations, who have a responsibility for crime prevention, to tackle crime and re-offending.

With central government funding for Thames Valley Police coming down by 5% next year, we see the increasing importance of those who are locally elected. Localism means not just more local decision making but more local accountability for related taxation too.

I dislike tax rises intensely yet it is hard to argue against 6p a week in the context of the policing challenges we face and the national funding cut. Anthony has taken a courageous decision to maintain services: he may be contacted here.

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