Express & Star

Police boss wants to remove cap on council tax increase

Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner wants to increase the force's portion of council tax by more than two per cent from April.

Published
Matthew Ellis

Matthew Ellis has launched a consultation on the move which he said would help 'maintain funding for policing'.

The Government currently caps increases at just under two per cent but the PCC is hoping the restriction is scrapped.

He said: "Currently I am limited to increasing the policing element of council tax by just under 2 per cent due to a cap fixed by central government.

"However, for the first time, I am asking if you would be willing to pay more, if Government agreed to lift the cap nationally – a possibility in mid-December.

"If the cap was lifted it would provide me with more flexibility in setting the council tax level, which would be used to maintain funding for policing."

Visit www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/have-your-say to provide feedback on the proposal.