Police numbers to fall without council tax rise
POLICE chiefs claim they will have to cut the number of officers by 26 unless there is a council tax increase.
Cheshire Police has launched a public consultation on its annual budget, which includes a rise in the police precept part of the annual council tax bill.
Three options are on the table are:
Freezing the precept – would mean the budget has to be cut by £1.2m, equivalent to 26 police officers.
A one per cent increase – would mean cuts of £0.6m, equivalent to 13 police officers.
A two per cent increase – adds 6p a week for a Band D home and preserves the current service.
David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, is urging residents in Macclesfield to have their say on the options.
He said: “Recent years have seen severe cuts to public services from successive governments. The result locally has been that we have had to find £52.4 million of savings over the past seven years.
“The government has said that police budgets will be protected at current levels.
“However it isn’t quite that simple, as the government commitment does not take into account inflation and is based on local Police and Crime Commissioners increasing the police share of council tax, known as the policing precept, by two per cent.”
Residents can have their say via www.cheshire-pcc. gov.uk until Tuesday, January 24.
Mr Keane added: “I know this is a tough decision, particularly as many people are continuing to feel that they have less money in their pocket after the bills have gone out, but I believe that a two per cent increase, just 6p a week for a Band D average household, to maintain funding would provide strong support for local policing.
“I’m clear that maintaining current funding levels through a two per cent increase in the precept would not mean local policing stands still.
“Through careful re-prioritisation and increased efficiency, the people of Cheshire will see investments in areas of policing you told me were important as I developed the Police and Crime Plan.
“Among other things, investment will be made in supporting victims of sexual abuse, local policing, investment in cuttingedge technology to support public contact and road safety, and the provision of a modern fit for purpose estate all ensuring policing is connected with our communities.”
CHRISTOPHER Roy Downes, 52, of Roe Street, Macclesfield, admitted theft of perfume and cosmetics from Marks and Spencer and breaching a court order. He was sentenced to six weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. He was also given a curfew for three months.
BENJAMIN Thomas Graham Reddy, 29, of Fairfield Road, Buxton, admitted twice breaching a restraining order by attending Thornton Square in Macclesfield. He was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and fined £30.
JOHN Hall, 46, of Crompton Road, Macclesfield, admitted being drunk and disorderly on Warwick Road and failing to attend court. He was fined £88.
JOSHUA James Rushton, 21, of Farr Street, Stockport, appeared charged with burglary in Poynton. He was remanded in custody to appear at Chester Crown Court on January 30.
JOSHUA Hayes, 22, of Buxton Road, Congleton, denies breaching a court injunction banning him from entering Macclesfield Job Centre. He was bailed for a trial on February 10.
SEAN Daniel Cremor, 20, of Maple Avenue, Macclesfield, denies assault. He was bailed for trial on March 21.
RAYMOND Keeling Williams, 39, of Park Lane, Poynton, admitted drug driving at Bosley and driving without due care and attention. He was fined £370 and banned for 12 months.
DAVID Terrance Alan Brooks, 28, of Cornbrook Road, Macclesfield, denied two charges of assault. He was bailed for the trial on March 28.
TAGHI Jafari, 33, of Wellington Road, Bollington, denied making threats to kill and harassment. He was bailed for the trial on April 7.
MELISSA Kennerley, 22, of Keats Drive, Macclesfield, admitted criminal damage to a car windscreen and wing mirror. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation.
DANIEL Mark Taylor, 31, of no fixed abode in Macclesfield, admitted possessing a kitchen knife in public on Bollington Road, Macclesfield and breaching a restraining order. He also admitted breaching the terms of a notification order under the Sex Offences Act and failing to comply with the supervision requirement following release from prison. He was jailed for eight weeks.