Gloucestershire Police increase council tax bill (From Gazette Series)

Council bills set to rise after Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel agree to two per cent increase in budget proposed by Gloucestershire PCC Martin Surl

8:30am Sunday 10th February 2013 in News By Daniel Chipperfield

A FURTHER rise in council tax bills is expected in April after Gloucestershire Police raised their share by two percent.

The increase will add an extra £3.99 to the annual bill for a Band D property, or eight pence a week.

The total cost of the county’s police and criminal justice services is £102,686,275 and includes around £900,000 to help protect frontline policing against expected future cuts.

It also includes around £2m to fund community safety initiatives and community groups and organisations will be invited to bid for a share.

The Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel agreed to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) budget proposals for 2013/14 on Wednesday, February 6.

"It is a relatively modest increase but one that will have a big impact on our ability to reduce crime and increase peace and good order in the county," said PCC Martin Surl.

"This is a responsible, forward-looking budget that will help us build better communities and to achieve that, I want local organisations to come forward with their ideas and I will help finance the best.

"This is not just about giving money to the police, it is for the good of the people of Gloucestershire."