CUMBRIA'S Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall wants to know if residents are willing to pay more towards policing through their Council Tax.

As part of his responsibility for setting the budget for Cumbria Police, Mr McCall consults people on the amount they would be prepared to pay towards policing through their council tax.

This year he is asking whether residents would be willing to pay 1.92 per cent more per year – which represents £4.23 for a Band D property, or just over 8p per week.

The results from the consultation will inform the Commissioner’s decision on the level of council tax precept for 2018-2019 policing budget.

Mr McCall said: “I would like to know how you feel about how much you pay towards the funding of policing services, and how you would feel about increasing the policing element of your council tax next year. I am therefore encouraging you to take part in a short survey on my website, or you can complete a paper copy. Details on how you can do this are set out below.

“I will also be seeking the views of the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Panel before making my decision.

“I am aiming to maintain policing services in Cumbria by increasing the policing element of your council tax by 1.92 per cent. For a household living in a Band D property this amounts to an annual increase of £4.23, just over 8p per week. This modest increase will help me to support policing services and keep Cumbria a safe place.”

To take part in the consultation, log on to the survey at https://cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/finance-governance/budget-finance/budgets/

If people prefer a paper copy of the survey, they can contact the office at OPCC, Police Headquarters, Carleton Hall, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2AU. Alternatively, people can email their views to the Commissioner at at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk

The consultation ends on Friday, December 8