Staffordshire Police chief proposes council tax freeze
The police proportion of council tax is set to be frozen in Staffordshire this year, the police and crime commissioner has vowed.
Staffordshire PCC Matthew Ellis has outlined his latest budget proposals, which will be discussed at a PCC panel next week, in which he makes the pledge.
The proposals reveal the force is set to receive £106million from the Government in 2016/2017 – a reduction of less than 0.6 per cent compared to last year despite the fact bosses were expecting to suffer a five per cent cut amounting to around £5.5m.
Although £1million will need to be saved this year, Mr Ellis declared this will not be done at taxpayer's cost.
This is despite Mr Ellis being granted permission by the Conservative government to raise the police's portion of council tax if he found it necessary to do so.
The draft budget report prepared for Monday's panel meeting states: "The Government announced in the settlement that PCCs could increase council tax if considered necessary.
"The PCC for Staffordshire is setting no increase in the policing part of council tax bills for 2016/17 subject to agreement by the Panel.
"The PCC believes that given the progress in improving the financial position since 2013 it can be done without a need to raise extra from local people.
"The Commissioner therefore proposes no increase in the part of council tax he sets for policing and community safety."
Council tax makes up 30 per cent of Staffordshire Police's funding.
The budget proposals will go before the police and crime panel on February who have to agree to the recommendations before the precept is agreed.
The freeze is in stark contrast to Mr Ellis's geographical neighbour, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, who wants to raise council tax by £5 a year for band D.
Mr Jamieson wants to make the hike so as to reduce the impact of Government cuts on frontline policing.
A West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner spokesperson said: "Even with the proposed £5-a-year increase for Band D properties, West Midlands residents will still be paying at least £65 less than other neighbouring forces such as Staffordshire, West Mercia and Warwickshire.
"The West Midlands Police precept is the second lowest in the country at just £106.55 per annum (for a Band D council taxpayer) compared to the highest of £215.89 in Surrey. In comparison to forces similar to West Midlands, the next nearest precept level is Greater Manchester at £152.30.
"If the police precept is frozen at its current levels, West Midlands Police will lose out on approximately £3.3m per annum, which will mean a total loss in funding of at least £13m by 2019/20. This loss of funding would have a significant impact on policing across the West Midlands with inevitable reductions in service."