THE DEADLINE for people to have their say on plans to increase West Midlands Police’s council tax precept is fast-approaching.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster is responsible for setting the budget for West Midlands Police, which receives the majority of its funding from central government grant with the balance met by the council tax police precept.
Mr Foster wants the public’s views on the main policing priorities and the council tax increase which equates to £15 per year for the average Band D property.
The PCC said West Midlands Police’s council tax police precept was the second lowest in the country at £187.55 for a Band D property and remained at least £60 less than neighbouring Warwickshire Police, West Mercia and Staffordshire Police forces.
Mr Foster added an increase of £15 for the year 2023/24, for a Band D property, would mean West Midlands Police could continue to maintain and recruit officers to prevent and tackle crime, although the budget would remain under severe pressure.
Mr Foster is urging people to let him know of their main priorities when it comes to policing the region in order to keep people, their families and communities safe and secure.
He said: “It is vital as many West Midlands residents as possible have their say during the budget consultation.
“It is deeply regrettable the government is determined to pursue its strategy of requiring the people of the West Midlands to pay more local council tax for less local policing – by effectively mandating an increase in the council tax policing precept, in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
“The government has provided us with a stark choice. Increase the council tax police precept or face yet further cuts to policing – that would see us lose the equivalent of 260 frontline officers.”
People can visit westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/finance/budget/budget-2023-24/ for more and to have their say.
