HOUSEHOLDERS will be made to pay more for policing in Gwent after a council tax increase was agreed.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent Jeff Cuthbert has proposed an increase of 3.99 per cent to the police element of the council tax precept which would come into effect in April.

The Gwent Police and Crime Panel agreed to the hike yesterday, but recommended it is decreased to a rise of 3.55 per cent.

Speaking after the meeting, councillor John Guy, member for Alway and chairman of the crime panel, said: “We would have hoped for something a bit lower than 3.99 per cent.

“We understand there are limited resources because of less funding from central Government but services and people in the community will be put under pressure by the rise.

“We think that the recommendation of 3.55 per cent is fairer.”

Mr Cuthbert has agreed to consider the recommended increase by members of the panel, who will prepare a report in support of their suggestion by February 8.

A rise of 3.99 per cent would mean the average Gwent household would pay £228.84 for policing services - an increase of £8.78 a year or 17p a week on what they currently pay.

This would enable the chief constable of Gwent Police to invest in an additional 40 police officers and 14 front-line members of police staff. It would also go towards tackling emerging crimes such as cyber fraud.

A 3.55 per cent hike would mean the average Gwent household would pay £227.87 for their policing and related services - an increase of £7.81 a year or 15p a week.

Mr Cuthbert said: “I would like to thank the panel for agreeing to support my proposed increase of 3.99 per cent.

“I will now take time to reflect on their recommendation of an increase of 3.55 per cent and will respond in due course.”

The 3.99 per cent increase was based on the findings of a month long consultation launched by Mr Cuthbert which asked residents how much they would be willing to pay for their policing service.

The majority of respondents said that they would be in favour of increasing the precept by this amount, said Darren Garwood-Pask, chief finance officer to the PCC, at the meeting in Monmouthshire council’s County Hall, Usk.

Government cuts mean the Gwent PCC would be left with a £9.9million deficit to provide policing services for 2017/18 if a precept rise was not agreed. Mr Garwood-Pask said there had been a 27 per cent reduction in police funding since October, 2008, resulting in a need to recruit new police officers in Gwent.

The funding of Gwent police and the provision of policing services forms part of the PCC’s statutory duties. To ensure people in Gwent have an efficient and effective police service which provides value for money, Mr Cuthbert is required to determine the budget for 2017/18 and then set the police precept.

Last year the police precept was also agreed at 3.99 per cent, after a recommendation by then PCC for Gwent Ian Johnston, which was supported by the crime panel.