PCC Martin Surl denies he has broken manifesto pledge on council tax
POLICING boss Martin Surl has defended proposals to ask taxpayers for an extra £3.99 a year.
The Police and Crime Commissioner said the increase is "less than a box of chocolates" but will equate to the cost of 30 officers being on the beat.
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A public consultation is running on his draft budget for Gloucestershire, which totals £105million.
The police precept is part of the council tax bill and currently stands at £199.69 for a Band D household.
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Mr Surl has proposed a rise in council tax of one to three per cent to raise an extra £450,000, resulting in a total of £1.35million for policing in Gloucestershire.
Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper has questioned this, asking if Mr Surl is a "referendum dodger".
The Conservative said: "I am disappointed that just two months after his election, Martin Surl is already thinking about breaking his manifesto pledge to not raise local taxes.
"His consultation doesn't include the freeze option which he promised, just a range of rises."
He said Mr Surl should have the "courage" to hold a referendum and ask "hard-pressed families" what they think.
Mr Surl said: "To hold a referendum would be madness. It could cost £500,000 and people wouldn't thank me."
He campaigned as an independent and in his manifesto said raising council tax would be a "last resort" to cover further Government cuts.
He said his proposed increase was a "good deal" as the police authority had previously suggested a 3.9 per cent increase.
He said: "I certainly haven't broken a manifesto pledge. I said I would not increase tax to cover any further Government cuts. This increase is to cover the existing cuts."
The Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel will be asked to confirm the budget at its meeting on February 6.
11 Comments
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by Bonkim2003
Sunday, February 10 2013, 9:58AM
“You pay extra to cover the cost of the Police Commissioner and his office.”
by griffin6
Thursday, January 31 2013, 7:43PM
“So Mark Harper wants to spend £500,000 to see if we should raise another £400,000. The editors favourite politician really is an idiot.”
by Shireresident
Thursday, January 31 2013, 5:57PM
“Ill thought out gimmic of American style policeing causes clash with incumbent Tory who supported it. Nice to see that Mr. Surl seems to have been having "political speak" lessons since his electoral triumph. You couldn't make it up could you. the whole thing is just a daft distraction from the real issues around how to pay for public services.”
by geraint2010
Thursday, January 31 2013, 2:37PM
“It's a bit rich asking for more money so soon after his election. Gloucestershire is one of the smallest Police areas and far from being among the most efficient. Amalgamate with Wiltshire, Warwickshire or West Mercia and save a small fortune by eliminating duplication including Police and Crime Commissioners.”
by GlosGrumpyGit
Thursday, January 31 2013, 2:35PM
“Mr Surl.... The increase may be less than a box of chocolates, but some of us cannot even afford a box of chocolates( I've been telling er' indoors this for ages) You are a slippery fellow!”
by sticks_stones
Thursday, January 31 2013, 1:59PM
“BREAKING NEWS - Rape in Gloucester
Police are investigating a serious sexual assault on a woman in Oxstalls Lane in Longlevens in the early hours of Tuesday.
By citizendanc published... Thursday, January 31 2013 .
Yet another sickening attack, it's getting worse by the day!”
by IsitJimKerr
Thursday, January 31 2013, 11:46AM
“WILL COUNCIL TAX GO UP IF
I AM ELECTED?
The Gloucestershire Constabulary is funded in two
ways - from the tax you pay to the Government and
from your council tax. If the Government makes
further cuts to the police budget in Gloucestershire,
I have no plans to raise local taxes to plug that gap
and would only do so as a very last resort.
...........so we've reached the 'last resort' already, and he's been in the job five minutes......”
by Ysedra
Thursday, January 31 2013, 10:45AM
“It ain't the lousy box of chocolates, though, it's the principle...
If he has a get-out, though, fine, whatev.
It seems odd, though, that TiG is under the impression that he promised *not* to raise taxes if he always intended to do so to cover 'existing cuts'...”
by Douglasknows
Thursday, January 31 2013, 10:43AM
“"I said I would not increase tax to cover any further cuts, this increase is to cover existing ones" Nice use of words Mr Surl!”
by a_calm_voice
Thursday, January 31 2013, 10:12AM
“Martin Surl should be congratulated for telling us the truth about public services. We'll only get what we're willing to pay for.
Politicians and newspaper editorial writers have been kidding us for decades by making out we can have good services but pay little tax. No wonder western governments have all racked up huge debts, we've been living in a "live now pay later" fantasy world since the 1980s. But "later" has at last arrived and now our services are suffering.
We'll all end up paying more if policing falls and crime rises due to budget cuts. Insurance premiums and private security charges will rocket and that will put the cost of everything up as shopkeepers pass on their extra costs to customers.”