Time to have your say on police tax

These are very tough times, perhaps not the best time for the police to be asking us if we’re happy to pay even more on our council tax precept.

It’s unlikely you’ll be aware of this – as the survey isn’t widely publicised – we only found details online.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire has launched his annual Police Budget 2024/25 Survey in which residents are asked to approve the police precept – the part of your council tax that goes towards Cheshire Constabulary – for the coming year.

Last year just 3,000 residents, from a total of over 1 million, responded.

And as around two thirds of the respondents – circa 2,000, probably most of them employees of Cheshire Police – registered approval, it was deemed that the proposed increases had been supported by the majority of Cheshire council tax payers.

The police precept rose last year by 6.4% – and only you can decide if you wish to pay even more this year. When quoted in percentage terms, or a weekly amount, It doesn’t sound much, but just 6.4% year on year compounds up to a huge amount after just a few years – bear in mind every council tax payer in your home will be paying it.

With energy costs going through the roof, the fire authority and Macclesfield Town Council pursuing the same – plus we’re expecting an eye-watering increase from Cheshire East who’ve overspent by a whopping £18.5 million, a few individually small amounts could mean breaking point for many.

If you need to look at just one of the schemes Cheshire Police have come up with using your hard-earned money consider the rainbow – or clown – cars as some dubbed them.

One of the ways Cheshire Police spent your money came from Deputy Chief Constable Julie Cooke, who introduced ‘rainbow’ painted police cars – which she believed were guaranteed to reduce crime. The scheme was widely mocked with many calling them ‘clown’ cars.

The survey will close at midday on Tuesday 24 January.

It’s critical everyone has their say so copy this to all your friends: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/policebudget202425