Proposals to increase Cumbria Police's share of council tax by almost two per cent will be discussed today.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, wants to make the increase, to help ease growing budget pressures.

If agreed, it would see the police element of the annual council tax bill rise to £220.77 per year on a band D property.

This would mean the average band D household paying £4.14 more in the coming financial year, which Mr McCall believes is good value for money in order to secure key policing budgets.

He will be consulting with the Police and Crime Panel on his proposal at its meeting today as part of the budget setting process.

The 1.91 per cent rise would be in addition to increases agreed by Cumbria County Council and local councils. Once these are finalised, each household will receive a council tax breakdown for 2017/18 for their band of property.

Mr McCall defended his decision to put forward an increase. “Cumbria is a safe place and it is really important that the Chief Constable has the budget to enable him to police the county," he said.

"This is effectively an increase of just over a penny a day, which I am sure most people would consider good value for money.

“I am proposing to increase council tax to cover the costs of inflation and budget pressures that have been evident to date from the Constabulary over-spending and the pressure on the budget in 2016/17."

He added that the police funding formula is currently under review, which could have financial implications for the force.

Mr McCall said his budget, including the tax rise, had been prepared in consultation with the Chief Constable Jerry Graham. Today's meeting is a chance for the Police and Crime Panel to give feedback on the proposals.

The county council has been consulting on plans to increase its share of council tax by 1.99 per cent, plus a further two per cent for adult social care, taking its total to 3.99 per cent. It will make a decision next month.

District and parish councils across the area are also finalising their figures.

  • The public can have a say on Mr Call's plans by emailing commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or writing to him at Police Headquarters, Carleton Hall, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2AU by February 13.