COUNCIL TAX MAY RISE TO HELP FUND £13.3M BOOST FOR POLICE

Grants to help cover spiralling costs of pensions and frontline crime-fighting

FAMILIES could see another hike in council tax bills to help fund an extra £13.3 million for policing across Staffordshire.

The Government announced the additional cash this week as part of its funding settlement for police forces in 2019/20.

It will help cover the spiralling costs of pensions and demands on front-line crime-fighting, such as the rise in cases linked to child abuse and internet safety.

But Staffordshire will only get the full amount if there’s an increase in the police precept. That could work out at an extra £24-a-year for people living in Band D council tax properties.

Matthew Ellis, Staffordshire’s police, fire and rescue and crime commissioner, said: “This settlement for policing is the result of significant lobbying by commissioners, parliamentary colleagues in Staffordshire and police services. This wasn’t expected even three months ago and it is welcomed.

“While helpful, the pressures on policing through increasing demand, the changing nature of crime and the wider security implications mean finances and resources are exceptionally tight.

“It is vital the most local policing – which is precious to communities – continues to be supported and, in Staffordshire, we build on the extra officers I promised last year.”

Mr Ellis will launch a public consultation next week on the police budget and precept. Firm proposals will then be announced in January.

The Home Office has revealed Staffordshire is set to get £195.9 million for policing in 2019/20 – a rise of £13.3 million.

Cheshire would receive an extra £14.2 million, bringing the total resource funding to £192 million.

Around a third of that would come from the policing element of the council tax. The rest is through Government grants.

Staffordshire’s Chief Constable, Gareth Morgan, said the force has already worked hard to deliver significant savings.

The force was facing an £11.2 million funding gap by March 2021, which would have made it hard to avoid further job cuts.

Mr Morgan said: “We welcome the announcement of additional funding for policing through the police grant. Increased flexibility through the council tax precept is also good news and I hope the Staffordshire commissioner will take the opportunity to maximise the investment available to support the delivery of the policing plan priorities.”

Maureen and Roger Bailey, from Tunstall , are among those wanting to see the extra funding put into neighbourhood policing.

Sixty-nine-year-old Roger said: “You don’t see many police on the beat. An extra £13 million would make a difference. If it means people paying more through council tax, it’s got to be done.”

Maureen, aged 67, added: “Nobody likes to pay more, but costs do rise. If you want the same level of services, £24 doesn’t sound like a lot more to pay.”