A proposal to apply a small increase to the police element (precept) of Council Tax has been supported by the Durham Police and Crime Panel, at the Panel’s meeting this week.
Ron Hogg, Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, sought views from residents about the proposed precept increase, as part of his annual consultation, at events in shopping centres and community meetings, online and by telephone throughout January.
Residents who gave their views overwhelmingly agreed in favour of paying a small increase in the police element of the Council Tax, from April 2015.
An increase of 1.98% to the amount of Council Tax which goes to the police service will raise around £0.5m per year, and keep the equivalent of at least 10 police officers on the streets.
Mr Hogg said: “In the face of austerity and the ongoing Government cuts to police budgets, I am very conscious of the challenge that people face in terms of their household finances.
“I have taken residents’ views from the consultation into account. I am committed to ensuring that the police have the resources they need to continue to provide an excellent service to the public.”
For an individual household, this equates to just £2.11 over the year, or 4p a week for the average house in Band A.
Mr Hogg continues to monitor the work Durham Constabulary has undertaken to increase value for money and to protect community policing.
Members of the public can still give their views on Mr Hogg’s draft Police & Crime Plan 2015-17, via his website at: www.durham-pcc.gov.uk, by Facebook or Twitter (search for Durham PCC), or by telephone on: 03000 264631, before 15th February 2015.