RESIDENTS in Wiltshire and Swindon have just a few more days to give their views on the proposal to raise the police and crime element of council tax for 2014-15.

A consultation runs until Monday, February 3 by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson, who is considering an increase in the police precept of council tax of £3.15 a year for the average home (band D property). This is to help reduce the impact of significant central government grant reductions on policing and crime services in Wiltshire and Swindon.

Mr Macpherson said: “The council tax rate for policing and crime services in our area has not increased for the past three years and it will still be the lowest in the south west. I believe people will be willing to pay a little bit more a year towards sustaining high quality policing and crime services in the county.”

An average increase of £3.15 per household would provide the Commissioner with an additional £740,000 of local income for 2014-15.

The current rate of police and crime council tax for an average band D home in Wiltshire and Swindon is £157.77. This would increase to £160.92 under the proposal.

The Commissioner will be meeting with the Police and Crime Panel on Thursday, February 6, where he will formally give his proposal to the panel.

The Commissioner’s website is www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk.