PCC’s Council Tax Plans Rejected Over Public Safety Concerns

Leicestershire and Rutland’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews, has had his proposed council tax rise vetoed amid concerns it could leave the public at risk.

The Reform UK PCC had suggested an £11 increase in the policing element of council tax, but temporary Chief Constable David Sandall argued only the maximum £15 rise would provide the force with sufficient resources.

PCC Rupert Matthews at yesterday’s meeting

Mr Sandall told the Police and Crime Panel the £4 difference equated to 30 new officers and warned that not increasing the precept would create a £4.7 million shortfall in the coming financial year, rising in subsequent years.

He said the shortfall could lead to resource reductions, redundancies, slower 999 call response times, and an impact on the force’s ability to handle complex crimes.

Mr Matthews told the panel the decision to not ask council tax payers for the maximum amount had not been taken lightly and that he had not been convinced by the Chief Constable’s own budget plans.

A cross-party scrutiny panel unanimously rejected Matthews’ plan and he must now revise his proposals and return later this month.

Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall at yesterday’s meeting

After the meeting, Mr Matthews said: “It is ironic that my proposal not to impose the highest possible tax on local residents has been vetoed by those elected to represent them.

“To make it quite clear: the budget has not been cut. I allocated a 5% increase to Leicestershire Police, which equates to £13.5m more funding than last year.

“The deficit mentioned is down to £1.2m in the coming year from a budget of nearly £300m.

“I have every confidence that the Chief Constable and his team can achieve that without undue challenge.

“I will not just take the highest amount simply because I can.

“There is already enough pressure on households up and down the country.

“We need to reset the approach to taxation, and take what we must have, not what large public corporations would like to have.

“We will now revisit our spreadsheets and return with our revised figures on 12 February.”