Matthew Ellis, the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, wants Stone locals to speak up loudly and clearly on which of three options they should pay towards police and fire services.
From the survey text Mr Ellis says:
“As well as overseeing the work of policing, the fire and rescue service and some community safety services across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, I am also required to decide how much residents locally will pay towards the services.
It forms a part of the annual council tax bills we all receive. The Government also provides money from national taxation and the two amounts added together is what can be spent on the services here.”
He goes on to add:
“In setting the local taxation each year I take account of how much the Government provides, the views of the senior leadership of each Service, new challenges and risks, requirements set by Government and I also ask tax payers themselves for their thoughts through this consultation.
I try hard to keep the cost to local tax payers down and since I first set the local tax for policing in 2013, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have seen the second smallest increase of all 43 police force areas nationally.
2020 has been unprecedented because of Covid. Whilst public services have been heroic in their efforts, the ongoing effects of the virus and catastrophic impact on businesses, jobs and livelihoods means getting the balance right between investing in services and being clear that people are hurting financially is vital.”
With the impact of Covid-19 Mr Ellis said:
‘Now more than ever, when people have been furloughed and it is so difficult for everyone, it is not the time to ask the public for as much as you possibly can, just because you may have the power to do so.
‘People in Staffordshire have already paid for a boost in police officers over the last few years, which we have seen and felt the benefit of in numbers and services.
‘I really need to hear the public’s views on this and would encourage everyone to have their say and make their voices heard on the three available options in the survey. I am listening and I’m relying on people to let me know how they feel.’
The Commissioner is required to set the amount local people pay towards policing and fire and rescue each financial year.
The Commissioner will then recommend to the Police, Fire and Crime Panel at the start of February for policing and two weeks later for fire and rescue, what proportion it is fair to ask local people to contribute. National government also provides an amount through national taxation.
The survey where you can have your say on which option you support, the survey will run until January 18th 2021 https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/staffsprecept
