PCC: Consultation On Council Tax Proposals

14 January 2014, 13:11

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson is continuing to consult on the police and crime element of council tax for 2014-15 at community meetings throughout the area.

The Commissioner is considering an increase in the police and crime element of council tax of £3.15 a year for the average home (band D property). This to help reduce the impact of significant central government grant reductions on policing and crime services in Wiltshire and Swindon.

An average increase of £3.15 per household would provide the Commissioner with an additional £740,000 of local income for 2014-15. It would still be the lowest council tax rate for police and crime services in the south west.

Mr Macpherson and members of his team are attending Wiltshire Council Area Boards and Swindon Borough Council Localities to talk with people about this. People can also read more and give their views on the Commissioner’s website – www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk. The consultation is running until Monday 3 February 2014.

Upcoming meeting dates are:

• Malmesbury Area Board - Wednesday 15 January
• Trowbridge Area Board – Thursday 16 January
• Swindon East Locality – Thursday 16 January
• Tidworth Area Board – Monday 20 January
• Royal Wootton Basset and Cricklade Area Board – Wednesday 22 January
• Corsham Area Board – Thursday 23 January
• Devizes Area Board – Monday 27 January
• Marlborough Area Board – Tuesday 28 January
• Swindon North Central Locality – Tuesday 28 January
• South Wiltshire Area Board – Thursday 30 January
• Amesbury Area Board – Thursday 30 January

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.

Looking ahead three years to 2016-17, a proposed increase of £3.15 a year would reduce the potential funding shortfall by £2.3 million, meaning that savings of £12.5 million would be required rather than £14.8 million. Since the start of the austerity period, savings of more than £10 million have already been made.

The Commissioner said: 

'During the past few months we have been reviewing the budget very carefully and it is clear that as central government funding continues to reduce more and more, we have to look at a small increase in the police and crime element of council tax.

'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 do believe people will be willing to pay just a little bit more a year towards sustaining high quality policing and crime services in the county, especially neighbourhood policing.

'Ensuring value for money for residents in Wiltshire and Swindon while maintaining high quality services is very important to me. That is why we are embracing new ways of working smarter across the public sector, working with other PCCs and police forces in the south west and local partners. As public sector budgets continue to be cut, the aim is to work more effectively together to both improve customer service and reduce costs.'

Mr Macpherson will be speaking with the Police and Crime Panel about the proposal at a meeting due to take place in Swindon on Wednesday 15 January. The panel are then due to meet again on Thursday 6 February where the Commissioner will formally give his proposal to the panel.

For more information about the consultation please visit the Commissioner’s website –www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk. Further details about Area Board meetings can also be found on the Wiltshire Council website and more details about the Swindon Borough Council Localities are on the Swindon Borough Council website.