Plans to increase the local tax payable for policing in North Wales have come under fire from a former member of the North Wales Police Authority.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has criticised Police Authority plans to increase the police precept in the North Wales Police force area by 4%, saying that the Authority should take funds from its large reserve balances to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
The Police Authority will meet later this week to decide on the precept, which will form part of the council tax bill payable from 1st April.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said,
“People in North Wales are already paying more than their Welsh counterparts for police services. The proposed police precept rise is totally unacceptable.”
“Police forces are required to set cash aside for rainy days and with the current public spending squeeze it is pouring down.
“I urge the Police Authority to use two million of the twenty six million it has in the bank to freeze the precept for this year.
“Households in the region need all the help they can get in these difficult times.”
