Crime commissioner plans to cap police aspect of council tax (From Swindon Advertiser)

Crime commissioner plans to cap police aspect of council tax

10:54am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News

Angus Macpherson, Wiltshire’s police and crime commissioner

POLICE and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson proposes to cap the police element of council tax for the 2013-14 financial year.

The Wiltshire Police budget is made up of two main funding streams – funding from central government and the police part of the council tax from householders in Wiltshire and Swindon.

At the end of December, the Commissioner was informed that the central government grant for Wiltshire Police for 2013-14 will be £65.2m. This is £2 million less than that received for the current financial year.

“The budget we are receiving from central government is in line with what we expected – so there are no surprises there." he said.

"We expected to have to make savings in line with our on-going plans.

“I am more than aware of the current economic climate and challenges this can give people living in Wiltshire and Swindon, so as promised during my election campaign, I am proposing not to increase the policing part of the council tax for the next financial year.”

The Commissioner will be consulting on his proposal with chamber of commerce groups and the voluntary community sector. The Police and Crime Panel, the body that scrutinises the Commissioner, will also discuss the proposal at a meeting on February 6, before Mr Macpherson makes his final decision.

If the police council tax cap goes ahead, householders in a Band D property will pay £157.77 for policing services next year. This is the same as the last two years.

“Wiltshire Police has a deserved reputation for giving residents a service which is good value for money. I am keen to continue to keep the cost of policing down while maintaining an effective frontline service," said Mr Macpherson

“This means doing more for less. This will involve working more closely with the voluntary and community sector, supporting initiatives such as Neighbourhood Watch, Street Pastors and organisations which support victims of domestic abuse and tackling offenders who are drug and alcohol dependent.”