News
Authority members vote to freeze police council tax
08 February 2012
Ann Barnes, Chair of the Kent Police Authority, today announced a freeze on police council tax for the forthcoming year.
Police Authority members unanimously made the decision at a meeting held today (8 February) at Kent Police Headquarters and agreed to accept a Government grant of £2.6million rather than increase the precept.
The average band D household will pay £2.67 a week for their policing service, one of the lowest police council tax rates in the country.
Members are confident the Force will continue to deliver its savings plan. The Authority and Force are entering the second year of a major programme to find £50million in four years.
Policing services will be maintained including the boost to neighbourhood officers introduced last November as part of a reorganisation of Kent Police. The county was split into three policing divisions – West, North, and East – and a new appointment system has been introduced to enable victims of crime to see an officer at a time and place of their choosing.
It is also now even easier to contact the police following the introduction of 101, a new memorable number to call to report non-urgent crime, make a general enquiry or contact your neighbourhood officer. Each call only costs a maximum of 15p, no matter how long the call is or whether it is from a landline or mobile. This complements the existing 999 service which should continue to be used when life is in danger and crime is in progress.
Ann Barnes, Chair of Kent Police Authority said: ‘The Authority has debated this year’s council tax and all members agree that we should freeze it. A one year grace will help hard pressed families and this decision means that those who are struggling are not burdened with anymore financial worry. The Authority will continue to monitor the Force to ensure it continues to deliver the best possible policing service for the taxpayers of the county.’
AUDIO: Chair talks about police council tax freeze