Council tax could rise by £24 a year to pay for police services for some residents of the West Midlands under proposals from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Announcing the plans at this week's Strategic Policing and Crime Board, PCC David Jamieson said that the rise would hit households across the region.

But the proposals will still be subject to a public consultation, with Mr Jamieson accusing the government of misleading the public in regards to police funding announcements.

Mr Jamieson said that raising council tax was not something he wished to do, but that he had been left little choice by the government.

And he added that the rise was necessary if the force was not to shrink further.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson.

"The public have made it clear that, despite government cuts, they want to see more police officers on their streets. I will do all I can to make that happen.

"To ensure the force doesn't shrink any further, the government has strongly indicated it expects PCCs to increase council tax by the maximum amount. That means £24-a-year increase for a Band D taxpayer.

"A £24 increase in the West Midlands still means local people will pay at least £40 less than people living in areas covered by neighbouring forces such as Staffordshire, West Mercia and Warwickshire.

"With the force still facing real term cuts it is the only option left to protect officer numbers. I would prefer government not to shift the cost onto local council tax payers, but they have left no other choice."

Continuing his criticism of government policy, Mr Jamieson said that recent statements made in the House of Commons regarding police funding were 'misleading'.

Earlier this year forces across the country were told they would have to increase their pension contributions, something which will reportedly cost West Midlands Police around £15 million.

"Extra pension commitment for the force now is going to be in the region of £15 million, rather than £8.6 million. The total extra grant from the government just about covers that, so what they called extra funding was not extra funding, it was standstill funding for the pension alone.

"The statement made in the House of Commons last week was entirely misleading. So if we raise the precept to £24 on a Band D property in the West Midlands, it brings in just over £18 million. And when you think that inflation is probably about £17 million we are not in an increased budget situation, we are standing still.

"I've got used to ministers misleading us, but I think on this issue the civil service has misled us as well. Even by putting an extra burden on council tax payers, the very best we would get is a standstill budget.

"So today I'm launching the consultation with the public, and if we get the full amount what it will mean is we just don't shrink any further."

The current policing precept for a Band D property in the West Midlands is £128.55, with a £24 increase bringing the total to £152.55.