News reaches us this morning that following a meeting by the Police Authority’s finance committee on Tuesday, a rise in council tax precept for 2010/11 of 2.91 per cent is being recommended for approval by the Hampshire Police Authority.
The increase will put the cost of policing on the Isle of Wight for a band D council tax payer at £146.25 pa, an increase of £4.14 from this year.
We understand the increase is due to the Hampshire Police Authority (which covers the Island) receiving less than other authorities around the UK and brings with it a shortfall of £1.94 million in the year 2010/11.
The total proposal budget for services by the Hampshire Constabulary for next year is £313,749,000 a 2.97 per cent on this year.
£3.5m of the extra £9,049,000 will be raised through the council tax precept.
Hampshire County Councillor Adrian Collett, chairman of the finance committee said: “We are very aware of the need to strike a balance between what is affordable for council tax payers and maintaining the highest levels of policing.
“Although this budget focuses on the next financial year, we are also looking ahead to 2011/12 when the national economic picture looks extremely challenging.
“The average Council Tax bill is increasing by 2 per cent in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Although there are significant budget pressures, no cuts are proposed and we have worked hard to balance the budget and protect front line policing”
The Hampshire Police Authority meet next Tuesday to make a final decision on the increase.
