Wiltshire's PCC confirms £10 increase to council tax precept
The budget was unanimously supported
It has been confirmed that the policing part of the council tax bill in Wiltshire will be increasing for 2022/23.
The average household will be paying £10 extra per year, a 4.3% rise to £241.27.
It's the maximum Philip Wilkinson could have increased the figure by for the upcoming financial year.
The county's Police and Crime Panel has backed Mr Wilkinson's budget, which is funded 50% by council tax.
The other half comes from central government.
Total revenue for Wiltshire Police for the coming year will be nearly £147m.
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE SPENT?
After backing from the panel, the PCC's police and crime plan can go ahead.
This includes investing in areas like roads policing and collision investigation, violence against women and girls and tackling child abuse and exploitation.
They are also aiming to recruit an 62 police officers via the national uplift programme.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson said:
“It is vitally important to me that now the Police and Crime Panel have supported my proposed budget for the next year that my office and Wiltshire Police can continue to deliver your policing service and deliver it well – making Wiltshire’s communities safer for all.
“The decision to increase the precept has been a difficult but necessary one and I have noted people’s concerns and are hearing them loud and clear.
“I am listening to residents when they tell me that they want a better and improved service from both the police and wider criminal justice system with improved outcomes and more visibility.
“I continue to work with the Chief Constable to ensure that visible community policing remains central to future plans, and can confirm that the majority of the extra officers will be deployed to neighbourhood policing teams.”
Wiltshire is the fourth lowest-funded Force in the country, and the current funding formula is due to be overhauled ahead of the next parliament.
Mr Wilkinson added:
"Only by investing in our police service and allocating resources effectively can we address the root causes of crime, enforce the law and begin to make Wiltshire safer, and this is a conversation that I will be having with our local MPs and the Home Office as the central funding we currently receive is not sustainable to the increasing demands our police Force continues to face.”