Police commissioner blames cuts for hike in council tax charge Maximum £12 a year to be added to bills

WEST Midlands Police looks set to raise its council tax charge by £12 per year, the maximum allowed without a vote.

It means the average band D household will pay a total £128.55 per year for policing, up from £116.55, an inflation-busting rise of more than ten per cent.

Labour Police and Crime commissioner David Jamieson said that he had been forced to raise the charge to make up for cuts in the grant from government.

He stressed that the West Midlands Police charge was likely to remain the second lowest in the UK, even after the hike. The third lowest is West Yorkshire at £150.95.

The charge is added to council tax bills along with further precepts for the fire service, transport authority and any parish councils.

Mr Jamieson said: “The public have made it clear to me that despite government cuts they want local neighbourhood policing to be protected. I will do all I can to focus resources into that area.

“The government have made it clear that to part cover their reduction in police funding they expect police commissioners to increase council tax precept by the maximum amount. That would mean council tax increasing by £12 a year or a £1 a month for a Band D council taxpayer.

A £12 increase on the policing precept in the West Midlands would still mean that local people are paying more than £50 less than neighbouring forces such as Staffordshire, West Mercia and Warwickshire.

“With the force still facing real terms cuts, it is the only option left to protect services.

“Just to stand still West Midlands Police needs £22 million. I would much prefer government gave us the funding we require. However this increase will enable me to continue with planned recruitment to stabilise officer numbers.

“Before I make my final decision on the local policing precept I want to hear the views of the public.”

He said if the charge was frozen then the police would lose £9.5 million funding, equivalent to 190 police officers.

The public can submit their views via an online survey which will remain open until February 2.