RESIDENTS are being invited to have their say on how much they want to pay towards police and fire services.

Police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC) Julia Mulligan will set the precept - the amount of council tax paid for the police and fire and rescue services. She has launched a consultation on how much residents are prepared to pay.

According to the consultation the police need to save £10 million per year from 2020, while the fire service must make annual savings of £3.5 million.

The police precept could be increased by up to £24 a year for band D properties, which would raise an extra £7 million for the force.

And the fire precept could go up by up to £2 a year for band D properties, which could raise up to £1.5 million.

The consultation says both the police and fire service face challenges related to reductions in government funding, but that many people want to see investment in policing in their communities.

It adds that priorities for the police include increasing the number of officers, improving 101 services and addressing crime concerns.

Mrs Mulligan, who was re-elected as North Yorkshire’s police commissioner in 2016, took over responsibility for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service as well in November.

To have your say on increases to the police and fire precepts or for more information visit northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/how-can-we-help/your-say/consultations.