‘Hard-working taxpayers deserve a police bill freeze’

Coun Grove, who was speaking as consultation began over the level of precept, which forms part of the council tax bill, said hard-pressed taxpayers deserved a break.

The Government is offering a grant worth £400,000, equivalent to a one per cent rise, to freeze the bill. The alternative is raising the precept by two per cent.

Coun Grove said: “It is quite clear to me that freezing it is the right thing to do. But at the end of the day I am hear to ask the public what they think.

“As soon as there is a problem, it’s ‘Let’s get the money from the taxpayer’. I think it’s wrong. We can’t continue to do it.

“Ultimately it comes from the pockets of hard-working people.

“A two per cent increase is 7p on the average property, but that is not the point – all the 7ps add up and the fact is a lot of people aren’t getting a two per cent pay increase.”

Coun Grove said there were areas where savings could be made and that would be a matter for discussions with the new chief constable expected to be appointed next Tuesday, replacing outgoing chief Tim Hollis.

Coun Grove said: “We currently have a five-shift system and there has been consideration to changing that to a four-shift system that would save in excess of £1m. When it was considered some time ago that was ruled out by the chief constable. We are now facing having to save between £13m and £17m over the next five years and shall we say all issues are open for reconsideration.”

Responding to criticism that his police and crime plan, which is also out to consultation, was full of jargon, Coun Grove admitted it had been “written in a language that is probably more usually understood by partner organisations than the general public”.

He aims to stop duplication of services that can see a single troubled family getting input from 28 different organisations and wants to adopt zero tolerance and early intervention for prolific offenders.

“We know they start off at a young age and will be involved in anti-social behaviour,” he said. “We need to challenge anti-social behaviour and nip it in the bud and have less of them progressing into a life of crime.”