Gloucestershire police budget increase approved

Martin Surl has said the 2% increase was needed to protect frontline policing in the county

Plans to increase the police share of council tax revenue by 2% has won the backing of Gloucestershire's police and crime panel.

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl put together the draft budget which was considered by the panel earlier.

Mr Surl has said the tax rise will bring an extra £900,000 in revenue to the 2013-14 police budget.

Panel members also called for closer collaboration on future budgets.

'Peace and order'

The increase in the police precept will mean an rise of nearly £4 for the average band D household in the county.

Mr Surl said: "It is a relatively modest increase but one that will have a big impact on our ability to reduce crime and increase peace and good order in the county.

"I am not putting up council tax to replace funding cuts, as has been suggested.

"This is a responsible, forward-looking budget that will help us build better communities."

About £2m of the police budget has been put aside in the Community Safety Fund for local projects.

The panel has called for closer collaboration during the early stages of budget-setting and more detail over the results of budget proposal public consultations.

But these panel recommendations can be rejected by the commissioner.

The police and crime budget for the county is almost £103m.