Cardigan News
Police precept to rise
2:17pm Friday 17th February 2012
Following today’s meeting of Dyfed Powys Police Authority Members unanimously approved the 2012/13 budget which results in a council tax precept of £198.54 (for a Band D property). This represents an increase of 5% or £9.45 per annum on the level in 2011/12, equating to an increase of just 18 pence per week.
In arriving at the decision Members of the Authority acknowledged the extremely difficult financial circumstances and future uncertainties faced by the Force in light of unprecedented public sector budget cuts.
Members of the Authority also recognised that Members of the public were facing difficult times and were hugely conscious of the pressures on household budgets. To that end Members stated that it was important for any decision to increase the precept level to be supported by public opinion. Members noted that out of a survey of almost 2000 residents across the Force area, 70% of those surveyed indicated that they would be ‘very willing’ or fairly willing’ to pay up to 30 pence more per week to protect the services provided by the Police Service.
Chair of the Police Authority, Mrs Delyth Humfryes MBE commented that: “In these difficult economic times Police Authority Members were mindful of trying to minimise any increases in the precept as much as possible whilst also ensuring we do our best to protect and maintain front line policing in our communities. In light of the significant financial pressures placed upon the Police Force, a 5% increase in the precept level for 2012/13 was necessary to ensure that the policing service delivered to the residents of Dyfed-Powys was not adversely affected”