SHOULD council tax be increased to make up for Government cuts to the police budget?
That's the question Gloucestershire's police and crime commissioner Martin Surl is asking the public and businesses.
Gloucestershire police's budget comes from a Government grant and local council tax, and the coalition has decided to reduce its payout by almost two percent.
The Police Authority, which was responsible for the constabulary's budget before it was disbanded, was planning to raise its share of council tax by 3.9 per cent.
However, Mr Surl wants to get public feedback on whether council tax should be increased.
He said: "On the one hand the Government is suggesting we freeze council tax but on the other it's reduced our grant by nearly two per cent.
"If we leave the tax as it is, we won't be able to absorb the cuts the Government expects us to make next year and in subsequent years which could affect frontline services and our ability to reduce crime and increase peace and good order in the county.
"If we use our reserves, which has also been suggested in Whitehall, we would have no money to replace ageing equipment or improve our infrastructure."
To have your say, email Mr Surl at budget@gloucestershire.police.uk or write to 1 Waterwells, Waterwells Drive, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2AN.
Comments have to be in by noon on January 25.
