Members of Avon and Somerset Police Authority’s Finance committee today voted to freeze the policing part of the council tax, following supporting online public consultation.

Throughout December and January members and staff of the Police Authority carried out face to face consultation and an on-line survey with residents. People  were asked about the police budget including questions on the coalition government’s proposals to freeze council tax by giving police authorities funding equivalent to a 3% council tax rise for one-year only.

On the question of the policing part of the council tax over half the online respondents (55%) favoured taking the government grant for 12 months and no rise. However finance committee papers outline the financial dilemma facing members of the Police Authority created by the Government’s freeze. It shows the one-year, 3% cent offer would be worth an added £5m in 2012/13 and the police share of overall council tax bills would stay at £168.03 for the average Band D property. 

As the deal does not permanently add to the Authority’s baseline it would create a shortfall of £2.6 million in 2013/14 meaning either a major hike in bills - a decision for the new police and crime commissioner or further savings in the coming years.

Finance Committee Chair, Somerset Cllr William Wallace said; “Today’s meeting gives the future Police and Crime Commissioner an idea of what the coming years with no additional money for policing could look like. However given the 20% reduction to our central government funding we are already making difficult decisions. 

“We now have a greater understanding of what residents want us to do and people will see further reductions in our spending over the coming year. Inevitably the workforce will be smaller in the future but we know the Constabulary are working hard to ensure they remain agile, adaptable and effective in keeping the communities of Avon and Somerset safe.”

Finance committee members have recommended to full Police Authority, the council tax precept for 2012/13 is frozen, in order to take advantage of the Government top-up grant. 

Avon and Somerset Police Authority, which will be replaced by an elected Police and Crime Commissioner in November, will have to make its choice when it sets its budget on Wednesday, February, 8.

All of the consultation results and committee papers can be found on the Police Authority website www.aspola.org.uk.