Hampshire crime commissioner Donna Jones calls on residents to back council tax rise
THE county’s police and crime commissioner has renewed her call on residents to back a council tax rise to boost policing for the coming year.
The government is giving crime commissioners the flexibility to increase the policing element of council tax in 2023/24 by up to £10 per year (based on a Band D property).
Commissioner Donna Jones is asking for the public’s views on increases of £5, £6, £8 and £10. She wants residents to complete an online survey and provide feedback. The consultation runs until December 4.
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For those not online, paper copies are now available at local libraries until the end of the consultation period. They can be found at Portsmouth Central Library, Guildhall Square; Havant Library, Havant Meridian Centre; Hayling Island Library, Elm Grove; Gosport Discovery Centre, High Street; Fareham Library, Osborn Road; and Winchester Library, The Arc, Jewry Street.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: ‘I know this is a very difficult time financially for the country, and potentially for you as an individual, and I am conscious that any rise in your council tax to support policing will come at the same time as other costs are also increasing.
‘However, it is also a difficult time for funding your police force; policing is not immune to the cost of living crisis and therefore the 2023/24 budget is being set against the backdrop of a challenging economic environment.’
She added: ‘If I don’t increase the council tax for 2023/24, I will need to work with the constabulary to implement savings, with an inevitable impact on the overall service level which can be provided.’