Commissioner proposes smaller rise in police budget (From Tivyside Advertiser)
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Commissioner proposes smaller rise in police budget
1:27pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News
Police and Crime Commissioner, Christopher Salmon, is proposing to increase the amount people pay for policing in Dyfed-Powys by 3.9% for 2013-14; a smaller increase than in recent years.
The Commissioner is proposing the smaller rise to balance the need of providing an effective policing service, while minimising as far as possible the cost to taxpayers.
The proposed rise to the precept, the part of the Council Tax that pays for police services, is the equivalent of a 14.9 pence weekly increase or, a rise from £198 to £206 annually, for a band D household.
This will take Dyfed-Powys Police’s budget to £98 million for 2013-14. The Commissioner will put his proposals to the Police and Crime Panel on Friday, this week (Jan 25th, 2013). Once the Commissioner and the Panel agree a figure it will be implemented.
Commissioner Salmon, said: “I am acutely conscious of the pressure on family budgets in these tough times. In proposing the Council Tax precept, I have sought to balance the needs of our police service with the demands on families across Dyfed Powys.
“I am proposing a rise of 3.9%, down from the rises of between 4.2% and 5% of recent years. This produces a challenging but achievable budget for Dyfed-Powys Police that will enable us to protect service to the public whilst minimising demands on taxpayers. My aim is to bring rises into line with inflation over the next four years.
“The budget allows scope for much needed investment in new facilities and leaves us well positioned to cope with unexpected events in future. Thanks to the fantastic work of all in the police, we can continue to improve our service even in tough financial times.”
Details of the Commissioner’s precept proposals are in his draft Police and Crime Plan, which is open for public consultation ‘till February 6, 2013.
The Commissioner is urging people to share their views on the Plan which is available via his website: www.dyfed-powys.pcc.police.uk Electronic and hard copies can be made available on request by contacting the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner by email: opcc@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk or tel: 01267 226 440.
