By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Households across Nottinghamshire will be asked to pay at least £8.64 extra next year to support the police.
The 4.8 per cent increase will bring in an extra £4.3m for Nottinghamshire Police over the 12 months from April compared to the current financial year.
The category of home which pays the lowest council tax, ‘Band A’, which makes up the majority of homes in the county, will be asked to pay another £8.64, for a total of £188 over the course of the year.
The Band B bill will rise by £10.08 to £219.45, and Band C will rise £11.52 to £250.80.
For Band D homes the planned rise is £12.96, taking their total bill for the Police and Crime Commissioner up to £282.
The proposals will be presented to the Police and Crime Panel at Nottinghamshire County Council on Monday, February 5.
Police Commissioners were previously limited to a £10 tax rise per year, although this cap was increased in 2023 up to £13.
Nottinghamshire’s Commissioner Caroline Henry (Con) writes in a report on the proposal: “In considering the additional precept flexibility, I am mindful that this places further burden on taxpayers, particularly when households are already facing financial pressures.
“The outcome of the various budget consultation exercises has helped to inform my decision.”
The proposed budget says there will be no cuts to frontline police services next year.
Nottinghamshire Police officer numbers will be maintained at 2,408 – roughly one officer for every 482 members of the public – and 150 PCSOs.
A total of £5.2m savings and efficiencies have been found to reduce costs over the next financial year.
Like all local authorities, police forces are facing increased financial difficulty due to inflation and rising costs.
The report adds: “It is clear that the use of reserves will continue to be necessary to balance the budget beyond 2024-25.
“Efficiencies will also need to be identified to reduce the expenditure budget in the MTFP, and to an even greater extent if additional income is not forthcoming, e.g. from the formula funding review.”
