Cheshire Police Authority avoids council tax cap threat

Jun 27 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

CHESHIRE Police Authority has been told by the Government that it can keep the 17% increase in charges this year – but will face strict limits over the next two years.

There had been fears Cheshire’s increase would be reversed after the Government said it was examining all increases over 5%.

The move also applies to Leicestershire and Warwickshire police authorities.

Last night, Cheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy said he was pleased with the Government’s decision, and pledged to “provide value for money by increasing productivity concentrating on persistent offenders and on convictions in the courts”.

And Peter Nurse, chairman of Cheshire Police Authority, said they were delighted the Government would not be capping them this year, but voiced concern about the limits on future increases.

He said: “This will be very challenging, particularly with the threat of rising inflation. We will consider this carefully in the coming months as we plan next year’s budget and may need to discuss this further with the Government.”

Meanwhile, Lincolnshire’s police authority is to have its “excessive” demand on council tax for 2008/09 capped by ministers.

Lincolnshire will be required to reduce its claim on council tax for 2008/09 by £69.56 for each household and will need to send out new bills.

The authority had set an inflation-busting 79% increase in the police element of the council tax for this year – equivalent to £2 a week for each household in the county – which it said was necessary to save hundreds of staff jobs and put more officers on the streets.

Local government minister John Healey said: “The Govern-ment is sending a clear message to all authorities – if you set an excessive increase in council tax, you can expect tough action from us to protect taxpayers.”

The capping will go ahead if the House of Commons approves an order in a vote on July 9. Mr Healey added: “In taking this necessary action, I recognise that local government generally has done a great deal to ensure that they do not place unnecessary pressures on their council taxpayers.

“More than 98% of authorities did not set excessive increases - and the average B and D council tax increase in England for 2008/09 is 4%, the lowest increase for 14 years and the second lowest ever.”

Cheshire Chief Constable, Peter Fahy said: “We have reduced crime and seen public confidence in local policing rise but we know the public wants to see more.”

He also thanked the public of Cheshire “for all the support we have received.”

liammurphy