Crime commissioner pushes ahead with plans to cut police share of Herts council tax

Hertfordshire’s police and crime commissioner David Lloyd has totted up the figures and has confirmed plans to cut the amount of council tax the force will be asking for in the next financial year, while also building in plans for extra spending.

Mr Lloyd, who will be standing for re-election in May, says that his budget blueprint includes investments in areas such as cybercrime, victim services and a new fund to promote road safety.

The police element of the council tax, which has been frozen for four years, will be cut by just over a half of one per cent.

Mr Lloyd said: “Hertfordshire not only has a top performing force but it is in a very strong financial position compared to most others in the country.

“This is thanks to sound financial management, a well-developed efficiency programme and the decision by the government to protect the national police grant for the next four years.

“As a result I am able to propose a budget which not only allows for new spending but also makes a modest reduction in the burden on local taxpayers, who will now pay less for policing than they did five years ago.”

A detailed budget report can be viewed here

Hertfordshire’s police and crime panel will discuss the budget proposal at its meeting on Thursday evening. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting, which starts at 7pm at the East Herts District Council offices in The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EN.