Council tax increase is agreed to support the police

Last week, the Chief Constable Peter Goodman wrote an open letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner, sharing his professional views on the need to increase the funding for Derbyshire Constabulary.

Then, on Monday this week, the Government announced its plans for funding policing over the coming financial year.

These figures were based on a council tax precept increase of £10 for a band D property.

A ministerial statement issued by the Home Office said: "We also propose enabling PCCs to raise further funding through precept flexibility, subject to confirmation at the final Local Government Finance Settlement.

“We propose to empower PCCs to increase their Band D precept by up to £10 in 2020/21 without the need to call for a local referendum, the equivalent of less than 20p per week."

Hardyal Dhindsa, Derbyshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, presented his precept plans to the police and crime panel, receiving a unanimous ‘go ahead' for a £10 precept increase.

He said: "I am grateful for the panel's support and understanding. It shows that they recognise the financial position in which forces find themselves, following austerity.

“A lower rate of increase would mean a less-effective police service.

"It also noted the public's views.

“In our consultation, both face to face and online, 47.1 per cent of all respondents supported a precept increase of £24, while an overwhelming 76.9 per cent were in favour of £10 or more increase.

“I am tremendously grateful that our residents are willing to support policing in this way and assure them that they will see a more visible and accessible police service as a result."

Mr Goodman added: "I would like to thank the panel for its unanimous support for this precept uplift, and after the Government's funding announcement, am confident that we are able to meet the challenges that face the constabulary in the coming year."

Mr Dhindsa is now in a position to finalise his budget for policing in 2020-21.