Herts police and crime commissioner David Lloyd confirms 6.7% council tax rise to pay for policing
The price paid by residents for policing in Hertfordshire is set to rise by 6.7% after more than half of survey respondents said they were willing to pay more.
The county's police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Lloyd has confirmed a £15 increase in April for band D householders, taking his share of their overall council tax bills from £223 to £238 – or £4.58 a week. The rise will generate an extra £7m.
Over the past five years, he has imposed a 45% hike in the policing precept. In 2018-19, the band D figure was £164.09.
"This budget will enable the constabulary to maintain Hertfordshire's largest ever police service. The uplift programme over the past three years has seen more than 300 extra officers joining the constabulary," said Mr Lloyd.
"It will also allow the delivery of our Prevention First programme, which implements evidence-based policing to prevent risk, harm and victimisation. It also focuses on preventing and reducing harm for the most vulnerable, as well as tackling violence against women and girls.
"In addition, we will invest in our professional standards and vetting teams to maintain our high standards, continue to root out those who have no place in our police service and maintain public confidence.
"Standstill pressures this year are higher than they have been in previous years with pressure on pay, non-pay and capital financing budgets. Despite that, I am delivering a below-inflation increase in the precept to recognise the pressure being faced by households across the county."
Mr Lloyd was speaking after the proposed precept was examined and supported by Hertfordshire's Police and Crime Panel last Thursday (Feb 2).
His decision follows a public consultation in which 54% of residents said they wanted to pay more to support policing in the county. Out of almost 2,500 replies, 37% disagreed with the proposal and 9% were neutral.
Running the constabulary is expected to cost £271.6m in 2023-24. This is funded by £142.2m from central government, £111m from the council tax and £18.4m in fees, charges and other grants. Together they would represent a 4% increase of £11m in the police budget.
Overall from April, band D households in Bishop's Stortford are likely to see their council tax bill rise by £96.84 (4.83%) to £2,101.93 from the current £2,005.09.
Stortford residents pay council tax for the services of four authorities: Herts County Council, East Herts Council, the town council and the Herts PCC.
The county council is expected to approve a band D precept of £1,605.63 – a 4.99% rise of £76.32 from the current £1,529.31 – the district council has signalled it will increase its precept by £5.53 (3%) to £189.61 and the town council is set to freeze its precept again at £68.69.
