11:05am Saturday 6th February 2010
COUNCIL tax payers in North Yorkshire will face a 2.7 per cent rise this year in the portion of the bill they pay to North Yorkshire Police Authority.
The force has announced its precept for 2010 will be £139.7 million – up £3.98 million on the previous bill. The rise equates to a £5.38 increase per year for a Band D property.
Jane Kenyon, chairman of the North Yorkshire Police Authority, said: “Members faced a difficult decision today. “We know from the conversations we have had with communities and representatives as well as the results of the consultation undertaken that residents could not sustain an increase above this level.”
Coun Kenyon said the bill came despite tyhe force finding significant savings though she emphasised budgets had not been slashed for front-line officers.
She said: “We have always known that, in future years, we will be looking towards a longer-term shortfall in funding; potentially a significant shortfall of about £14million by 2014/15 if the current assumptions are proven. “However, the chief constable and the authority are working hard to plan for this situation and we are confident that we can address the position. One thing is for sure – we will not reduce the front-line of the police service. “ Meanwhile, Humberside Police is expected to make a decision on its portion of council tax bills in East Yorkshire at the end of this month.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/trade_directory/