Have your say over plan to increase Bedfordshire Police slice of council tax
Have your say over plans to increase the police slice of council tax as police and crime commissioner John Tizard gets ready to set the budget.
A consultation is now open – and will close at 11.59pm on Friday, January 19.
You can find it online here.
Currently, 60 per cent of Bedfordshire Police’s funding comes from the government core grant, with the remaining 40 per cent being raised through council tax.
A police spokesperson said: “Bedfordshire Police has been historically underfunded by successive governments and although the government grant increased in 2025/26 and will do so again in 2026/27 – this has not been sufficient to make up for previous years of underfunding.
“Rising demand, population growth, and increasing complexity in policing all put pressure on resources. We expect this pressure to continue to increase in the future.”
The current government cap on council tax increases would mean an increase of 29p per week, or £15 per year, for a Band D household, and equates to 5.37 per cent across all council tax bands. But the police and crime commissioner, John Tizard, says he will aim for an even bigger increase if the government raises the cap.
Mr Tizard said: “Everyone who lives and works in Bedfordshire is entitled to the services of an effective and efficient police service, however without sufficient funding the police cannot keep everyone safe.
“The demands on Bedfordshire Police are increasing every year. It is vital that we maintain, and wherever possible improve, the effectiveness and efficiency of our police service.
“I am proposing to increase the council tax to the maximum possible to ensure that core police services are protected and the public of Bedfordshire remain safe.
“Failure to increase the council tax element of the precept would risk reductions in future government funding and would lead to significant cuts in services — with a negative impact on safety across Bedfordshire.
“Bedfordshire Police is recognised as pioneers in the use of technology to improve productivity and will continue to invest in this, but the cashable savings will take time to be realised.
“We have reviewed all budgets and will stop doing what is not essential.
“The government has increased our funding but there is still a need to increase the council tax.
“I have a responsibility to ensure that the police finances are sustainable, and without council tax increases this will not be possible.
“I will ensure that every pound spent is used prudently to prevent crime, support victims, enforce the law, and keep our county safe. I will hold myself and the Chief Constable to account to achieve value for money.
“I am keen to hear the views of the public, and I am determined to ensure that Bedfordshire Police provides an efficient and effective service.”
Feedback gathered during the consultation will help inform the commissioner’s decision on the allocation of funding. which will be submitted to the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel on 2 February.
To request a paper copy of the consultation, contact: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, Bridgebury House, Bedfordshire Police Headquarters, Woburn Road, Kempston, Bedford MK43 9AX