People across the Bath area are being asked to have their say on whether they support an increase in their council tax to better fund local policing.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, Mark Shelford, has launched a survey to ask residents if they agree or disagree with his proposal to increase the policing part of the council tax, known as the precept, by £15 a year for the average band D household.
Local policing is funded by a combination of the council tax precept, the Home Office and other grants, with the precept accounting for 41% of police funding.
The PCC is responsible for setting the amount of money residents contribute to local policing through the precept.
The Government determines the maximum amount by which PCCs can increase the precept each year.
For next year, the Government has told PCCs they can increase the precept by £15 for a band D household (equivalent to 6%).
The Government assume that PCCs will ask for the maximum allowed and use this assumption in their budget setting.
Even with the maximum precept increase, the funding will not be enough to meet projected costs.
As a result, Avon and Somerset Police will face a £3.2 million deficit in the year 2023/24 and £7.4 million deficit in 2024/25.
PCC Mark Shelford said: “Even if Avon and Somerset Police receive an extra £15 next year from local people in band D households, this will leave a significant deficit that will impact policing.
“£3.2million funds the equivalent of 80 police staff such as PCSOs, investigators and 999/101 call handlers; or the running costs of two thirds of Avon and Somerset Police’s entire fleet of 1,000 vehicles; or one third of our police estate such as police stations and buildings.
“The 7.4million deficit in 2024/25 would increase these numbers to 185 police staff; or more than the running costs of the entire Avon and Somerset Police fleet of 1,000 vehicles; or the running costs of two thirds of our police stations and buildings.”
Mr Shelford continued: “I know that times are tough for a lot of households and an increase in bills next year is a big ask from local residents.
“Rising costs of living, fuel and inflation is impacting us all, including the cost of running the police service.
“However, in order to deliver on the priorities and the issues you told me were important to you when I was elected, I need to ask for this additional funding.
“Please do take five minutes to complete the survey and share your thoughts with me.”
The survey will run until 30th January 2023. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is also distributing 15,000 postal surveys to people across Avon and Somerset.
To complete the survey, visit: https://avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk/forms/ops/
Below is a table outlining the maximum increase cost for each council tax band for 2023/24:
