Tax hike needed to protect West Mercia Police force

Barrie Sheldon, deputy police and crime commissioner for West Mercia, has defended proposals to increase the police council tax precept by 1.99 per cent from April following criticism by Shropshire councillor Michael Wood.

Councillor Wood, who is a member of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel which oversees spending plans, criticised the increase at a recent Shropshire Council meeting, saying he did not believe it could be justified at a time when the cash-strapped local authority was managing to freeze its council tax level.

But Mr Sheldon said today the money was needed as the force prepares to make another £21.8 million of cuts over the next five years. The increase is due to generate an additional £1.7 million per year.

In addition to the tax rise, as part of attempts to balance the books the force will raid its £49.3 million reserves, reducing them down to just £12.7 million by the end of the period.

The force is already part-way through a major savings programme of £20.1 million between 2012 and 2016.

Mr Sheldon said: "People pay for council tax for policing and that is exactly what we are going to be spending it on."

He said at a recent meeting of the police and crime panel, the plans had been supported by a margin of nine votes to three, with only Shropshire Council representatives voting against the tax increase and spending plans.

"It is going to ensure we maintain a very strong frontline of policing," he said.

Councillor Wood said he was concerned about some of areas of planned police spending, including on community ambassadors and a £189,500 support grant for the Police Federation.

Mr Sheldon said providing a grant to the Police Federation was a statutory requirement, but talks were taking place on the amount that is provided to the staff association. He added he believes that the ambassadors scheme, which costs around £40,000 per year, is working well.

Community ambassadors have been appointed for each area covered by West Mercia Police, with one representing Shropshire and one Telford & Wrekin.