Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner looking to raise tax precept
David Sidwick is proposing a rise of just over £1 a month
Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner is proposing an increase in the council tax precept in the next financial year, and wants to know what we think.
David Sidwick has put forward a rise of £1.08 a month - or £13 a year for the average Band D property.
The rise is in line with the expected budgets for PCCs, after they get Government funding for policing services.
But the increase must be supported through a public consultation to go ahead.
Dorset PCC David Sidwick said:
“This year, the government have set the limit under what was expected. With inflation being high, that £13 is equivalent to an increase of 4.6% below inflation and will not enable the level of service improvement that the public, the Chief Constable, and I want to see, but I will keep fighting to get a better, fairer deal for Dorset when it comes to funding.
"Last year the additional revenue allowed Dorset Police to continue with initiatives such as Operation Scorpion and Viper, introducing Community Contact Points and re-opening 3 police station front-desks across the county as well as tackling crime and ASB via various police operations including Op. Relentless, Op. Nightjar and Op. Fireglow as well as range of rural crime initiatives and operations.
"I want to ensure that there is more of the same this year. Of course, I would much rather not have to ask for funding from our residents, and I have been and will continue to lobby for more government funding, but I do want to be able to keep on ensuring success on behalf of the people of Dorset and I want to keep on delivering my Police and Crime Plan, the document that contains the policing priorities of our residents and communities.
"I hope that the people of Dorset will look at all the work that’s been happening over the last year, read some of the newsletters on my website to find out more about what the Force and my office and commissioned partners are doing on your behalf and then take part in the survey and give me your thoughts and opinions – because together over the last year, we have made a difference and I want that to continue.”
You can have a say on the proposed increase through a survey on the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner's website.