LOCALS will be paying more on their council tax bill for policing after a panel unanimously endorsed the uplift.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has received the support of the Police and Crime Panel for his proposal to increase the policing element of the council tax - the police precept.
The increase of £14 for the year, based on a Band D property, followed the government decision that the police precept could be raised.
A public consultation showed that more than 60 per cent of 1,157 voted in favour of the change.
Mayor Coppard said: “It’s vital we increase investment in South Yorkshire Police so they can not only continue the work they are already doing, but do even more to keep us all safe.
“There is no denying there are significant challenges.
“So, I’m grateful that the public recognise we need to work together to tackle those challenges, with a majority of people who responded to our consultation keen for us to invest in South Yorkshire Police to make sure that they have the funding they need.
“I’m also grateful to the cross-party Police and Crime Panel for their unanimous support.( “I want to see South Yorkshire Police do even more to prioritise knife crime.
“I want our roads to become much, much safer.
“I want more to be done to tackle antisocial behaviour and neighbourhood crime, and when crime does happen, to respond more quickly.
“I want people to have more confidence in policing across South Yorkshire.
“This budget means there will be a stable approach to police funding this year and an ambitious approach to delivering the new direction I have outlined for South Yorkshire Police.”
Coun Trevor Smith, who represents the Darfield ward and is also the chair of the police and crime panel, added: “As a panel we have scrutinised the proposed budget to ensure that it provides value for money for the residents of South Yorkshire.( “Whilst we acknowledge the financial pressures facing our residents, we also recognise the need for South Yorkshire Police to have the necessary resources to continue to deliver effective policing over the next financial year, whilst at the same time acknowledging the continuing financial pressures the force faces.( “On this basis the panel supports the mayor’s proposal for the budget and the increase for the council tax precept.”
