THE Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia Bill Longmore is considering a 1.99 per cent increase to the police’s share of council tax bills in 2016/17.
Mr Longmore said: “George Osborne told us all that police funding would be protected in real terms, but it’s become clear that the government won’t be footing the bill. We now know that West Mercia’s formula grant funding from central government will be reduced next year by £600,000.
“If police funding is indeed going to be protected and keep up with inflation, the government is relying on local taxpayers to plug the gap.”
A 1.99 per cent precept increase would add around 1p a day (or £3.70 a year) to the police’s share of council tax bills for a band D home.
The PCC is currently carrying out a public consultation exercise which continues until midday on January 18. People can get in touch by any of the following options:
Fill out the survey form via the PCC website, email to [email protected] or write to the Office of the PCC, PO BOX 487, Shrewsbury, SY2 6WB.
