Last chance for Wiltshire residents to have a say on proposed precept rise
It would see us pay more towards policing through our council tax
We're entering the final hours for people in Wiltshire share their feedback on proposed increases to the amount paid for policing through council tax.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson is asking to raise the precept by the maximum amount which would see a Band D household pay an extra £14 per year.
It's due to a Government settlement leaving a gap in funding of £11 million, if there was to be no increase to the precept.
The proposal would see that reduced to £6.8m.
The funding formula means that Wiltshire is among the lowest funded Force's in the country.
"The way it's worked out, we get £238 per head of population," the PCC said, adding that the average is £268.
Mr Wilkinson said that decisions taken several years ago meant Wiltshire had fallen behind neighbouring counties in how much precept was paid.
He said: "Last year, I asked the residents to pay £256, but if you lived in Dorset you paid £305 or if you lived in Gloucester, you paid £308. That's a £45 difference."
As a result, the PCC feels he has no option but ask for an increase of the maximum amount.
Chief Constable Catherine Roper has told Greatest Hits Radio she's evaluating where savings can be made, insisting that no staff or officers will be let go to achieve that.
We can complete the survey here, with a closing date of tomorrow (Friday 31st January).