More than 120 North Yorkshire Police jobs left vacant as force tries to "balance the books"
The plans have been revealed by North Yorkshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
North Yorkshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has revealed plans to leave more than 120 jobs vacant this year to balance the books.
Zoe Metcalfe will also ask a panel of councillors to consider increasing the force's council tax demand by 4.99 percent- around £14 extra for the average band D household.
The band D £295.08 demand would represents an average rise of more than £90 in the amount residents are obliged to pay North Yorkshire Police to cover the cost of the police service not paid for by central government.
Under the proposal, North Yorkshire taxpayers would be contributing 45 per cent of their police force’s £191m income, whereas Northumberland residents’ contribution only equates to 19.3 per cent of their force’s funding.
Of 2,343 responses from residents over the proposed police budget, some 55 per cent said they would be prepared to pay up to £5.60 more – an increase of up to 1.99 per cent.
Nevertheless, the commissioner’s report concludes there is “significant support from the public for an increase of at least £10”.
However, a report by the commissioner to the panel also highlights that North Yorkshire has among the highest policing precept levels in England and Wales but will need ro make £8.2m of savings in the coming year to balance the books.
The report states: “I have been clear with the force that in asking the public of North Yorkshire to pay more they should expect more from their police service."
Costs facing the force are expected to increase by £18m, mainly due to pay rises and inflation.