Apparently, at least according to Tim Thompson of Kent Police Authority, we have been lucky in Kent to get our policing on the cheap! Well you could have kidded me..
Its Budget this year is set at almost £277,000,000 with about £83,000,000 coming directly from Council Tax payers. The Kent Police Authority has increased the rate we pay by 4.99% this year despite a recession and above the rate of inflation. Put quite simply, Kent Police Authority has just 'grabbed' an extra £3, 600,000.
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Whilst other organisations look at cost cutting in these hard times, Kent Police cannot apparently cut down costs by a measley 2% and find, by doing so, an extra £5,500,000.
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It is of course easier to 'tap' the tax-payer and then explain 'what great value for money you are getting'; 'you are lucky to have it so cheap'; 'we have exhausted alternative options' etc..etc..
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What Kent Police Authority fails to say is that it had £11,000,000 of 'our cash' foolishly invested in Icelandic Banks and that it will be lucky if it gets £8,800,000 back. So, no-one is sacked; no one resigns; no cost cutting occurs but 'hey, don't worry. The Council Tax payer can cough it up!'
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I suspect if you 'refuse' to pay your Police Authority levy, KPA will send round a few chaps, as above, to collect it!
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