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werra
Forum Admin
27 Posts |
 Posted - 06/05/2009 : 00:20:25
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Some of you may have heard that the Government plans to “cap” the amount of money which Surrey Police can raise this year through Council Tax.
Even though the Government’s own auditors praise Surrey Police for “providing excellent value for money to the taxpayer”, the Government says that the Surrey Police budget for this year is too high. Consequently the Government plans to “cap” the amount of money that Surrey Police have already raised via Council Tax this year by £1.6m, forcing Surrey Police to return this money to the taxpayer. To do this, the Police will have to produce new, slightly lower council tax bills and distribute them to every household in the county.
The reduction amounts to around £3.24 for the year (or about 6p per week) for a Band D property. To return this £1.6m via the new council tax bills will cost £1.2m in administrative and distribution costs, and the resulting reduction in Police budget will force Surrey Police to cut 50 front line officer and staff posts.
Surrey Police Authority believes that this makes no sense, and it will compromise the ability of Surrey Police to provide the excellent front-line policing in Surrey that local people say they want. For this reason, Surrey Police Authority, with the full support of the Chief Constable, has decided to challenge the Government's plans.
One of its weapons is an on-line petition which has so far received over 4,500 signatures. If you want more information or if you want to sign the petition, please go to the Surrey Police Authority website www.surreypa.gov.uk and follow the directions.
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Surrey Police Authority Petition
