Police precept from council tax bill to be frozen for fourth year

David Lloyd has announced his intention keep the county constabulary’s share of the 2015 council tax bill at its current level, while also investing in new areas of policing, following the grant settlement for Herts from the government.

The total central grant settlement for Hertfordshire for 2015/16 is £117.9million.

Commissioner Lloyd said: “The Hertfordshire Police Grant Settlement for 2015/16, on first analysis, falls within our financial planning limits – albeit being on the less generous side of our expectations.

“Consequently, I will be able to freeze the policing element of the council tax in Hertfordshire for the fourth year in succession to help relieve the strain on household budgets in the county.

“For some forces across the country the loss of money announced through this grant settlement could have an impact on viability in short term, however this will not be the case in Hertfordshire.

“Through continuing careful financial planning, extension of collaborated working and planned use of financial reserves we will, in the short to medium term, be able to recruit further police officers to frontline roles and invest in key areas of demand such as tackling domestic abuse, countering child sexual exploitation and fraud.

“I will continue to oversee the management of the Constabulary’s budgets to ensure that we continue to meet the financial challenges ahead whilst protecting the excellent local policing that Hertfordshire currently enjoys.”

To get in touch with Mr Lloyd email him at [email protected], call 01707 806100 or search HertsPCC on Facebook.