Share Your Views on Council Tax Contribution To Policing

Police and Crime Commissioner, Michael Lane, is urging residents to ensure they have their say on the level of contribution they are willing to make towards the cost of local policing.

TAKE PART: https://www.surveygizmo.eu/s3/90204869/Policing-Budget-2020-21

The Government has today announced that Police and Crime Commissioner’s will be given the flexibility to increase the policing precept by £10 per Band D household per year to help meet the current challenges policing faces.

Michael Lane said “It is good news that the Minister has recognised the continued need for flexibility in the local tax precept setting powers that Police and Crime Commissioners have.

“An increase in the policing precept this year will enable Hampshire Constabulary to maintain its current level of police officers and build on this with additional recruitment. Despite the investments being made nationally, without an increase in the policing element of the council tax police officer numbers could still reduce. It is therefore more important than ever that I hear from council tax payers share their views about the level of contribution they would be willing to make through my precept survey.”

“As a result of the public’s support for an increase in policing element of the council tax last year, I am pleased to confirm that 210 additional police officers and 65 police investigators were recruited into Hampshire Constabulary and they are now working to keep you safer in your local communities. This places Hampshire Constabulary in a good position to build upon.”

“I continue to believe that a nationally fairer funder formula is the most appropriate way for the long term future of policing funding. I know that there are pressures on government, but I will continue to fight for this.”

The settlement recognises the challenges faced by today’s policing of increasing demands, greater complexity and changes in criminal activity.

If an increase in local council tax precept of 803 pence per month or £10 per year for a Band D property is supported it will help to keep communities safer and will,

• ensure the recruitment of new officers to maintain the current level of policing
• enable Hampshire Constabulary to access the national funding to recruit an additional 156 police officers

This funding will:

• Allow police officers to spend more time in local communities to prevent and investigate crime as it happens
• Provide equipment and training to make police officers even more effective
• Fund additional police staff in contact centres so that emergency and non-emergency calls are answered more effectively

With 61% of council tax payers in the Hampshire Constabulary policing area residing in properties that are Band A-C the majority of people will see an increase of less than £10 a year.

Proposed contribution to policing in council tax bands for 2020/21

Band - Contribution
A - £140.97
B - £164.47
C - £187.96
D - £211.46
E - £258.45
F - £305.44
G - 352.43
H - £422.92