Have your say on emergency services tax bill

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan is asking residents how much they are willing to pay in their council tax bill for North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan.Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan.

Setting the charge, known as the precept, for 2019/20 is part of the commissioner’s role.

She has consulted on the policing precept since she became the commissioner in 2012 but is consulting on the fire and rescue service precept for the first time this year, following transfer of governance.

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The survey, which will be carried out by telephone to a representative sample, and online where any resident can have their say will remain open until Saturday 18 January 2019.

Residents will be asked how much they would be prepared to pay per year in their council tax bill.

On policing, there are four options ranging from a precept freeze to an increase of more than £24. On the fire and rescue service, there are also four options ranging from an increase of more than £5.

48% of North Yorkshire Police’s funding and 70% of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s funding comes from the precept. The remainder comes from the Government.

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The commissioner said: “Policing continues to evolve in North Yorkshire as it responds to the changing nature of crime and demands on our police service.

“This county remains the safest place in England, but we are facing a series of challenges and many people tell me they want to see investment in local, visible policing.

“That is why I am committed to ensuring any additional money from the precept goes to this priority.

“I am also asking for views on the fire and rescue service precept for the first time.

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“It is facing serious financial challenges and I am determined to ensure it has a strong and sustainable future keeping North Yorkshire safe.

“It currently attends around 6,500 incidents per year from fires to road traffic collisions, flooding to other emergencies.

“It is vital you have your say. I want to know, directly from you, how much you are prepared to invest in our policing and fire and rescue services.”

The online survey is available now at www.telljulia.com.