Police tsar plans council tax hike
High Peak residents look set to pay more tax to fund police services under controversial proposals.
Government cuts mean the county’s crime tsar, Alan Charles, is planning a 1.96 per cent hike in the policing element of the council tax.
Under the proposed increase, a Band A householder would fork out an extra £2.14 per year while a Band D homeowner would pay an additional £3.21 annually.
Mr Charles said the rise would bring in an extra £1m – enough to save the jobs of 20 frontline officers.
The Government intends to slash Derbyshire Constabulary’s budget by 20 per cent over the next four years.
Mr Charles, who was elected Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner on a £75,000-a-year salary last November, said: “I sincerely regret being in a position where I have to increase the amount of council tax for policing just to maintain the status quo in service and continue keeping people safe.
“I am committed to driving down crime and keeping our streets safe.
“Unfortunately if the precept is not increased it would be impossible to keep the current level of police manpower in the future and this could compromise the level of protection Derbyshire Constabulary offers its communities.”
Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel will consider the planned price hike today (Thursday).
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Weather for Buxton
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North east
