Police tax fury (From York Press)

Police tax fury

8:50am Friday 5th January 2007 in News By Gavin Aitchison, gavin.aitchison@thepress.co.uk

POLICE authority chiefs have been accused of showing a "total disregard" for the people of York and North Yorkshire, over plans for a tax increase.

As reported in The Press yesterday, North Yorkshire Police Authority is to consult the public on increasing the police's share of council tax.

People will be asked whether there should be a three, four or five per cent increase, but North Yorkshire MP Phil Willis said there should be no increase.

North Yorkshire's Chief Constable Della Cannings said yesterday that even a five per cent increase would leave a £3 million deficit in the force's budget.

But Mr Willis, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said: "There appears to be a total disregard for the charge payers of York and North Yorkshire from the Police Authority.

"Following record breaking increases over the past five years and reserves of over £30 millions there should be a zero increase in the precept for 2007/8.

"Given the appalling waste of money over the Chief Constable's shower, the smoking gazebo at Newby Wiske and designer cars for senior officers, enough is enough.

"Whilst my constituents have a huge admiration for the work of our local police there remains a total contempt for the senior management of the police who have misled the public over past increases and now want even more.

"Enough is enough!"

Announcing the consultation, Jane Kenyon, chairman of the Police Authority, said: "Next year will be a tight budget year for all public services in North Yorkshire but it is important that the police plays its part in keeping the council tax increase to an absolute minimum.

"The North Yorkshire force has made major strides over the past few years to become one of the top performing forces in the country, and to provide quality policing for its communities. It has used the large investment made in the service four years ago wisely, but it is important that these standards are maintained and in some areas improved."

* The Press has been asked to point out that the 2007/08 council tax rates stated yesterday were incorrect. As we reported, City of York Council is expecting to increase council tax by 4.5 per cent for next year, but the figures in the accompanying table did not take account of any increase from other authorities, such as the police and fire brigade.

Final council tax figures for 2007/08 will not be known until those increases have been set.