Thousands of people are faced with a tax rise – after a police boss used a KitKat to win an increase in his force’s funding.
Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable Alfred Hitchcock held up the chocolate bar to persuade members of the police authority to help him ‘protect frontline jobs’.
His victory takes the gloss off both Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire councils’ decision to freeze their tax charges.
And ratepayers, some of whom may face Parish imposed rises, could be hit with another blow when Bedfordshire and Luton Fire Authority consider a proposed two per cent increase in their subsidy.
Mr Hitchcock took centre stage at the meeting on Friday where, looking at two possible hikes, either 3.5 per cent or 3.95 per cent, he produced a 65p KitKat as a prop to explain the difference in what taxpayers would need to cough up every month – an extra £5.72 a year on bills.
Significantly, the increase was just shy of four per cent which would have triggered a referendum on the issue.
The move also vetoed a £907,000 oneoff Government grant the force would have received had they frozen their charges.
Peter Conniff, chairman of Bedfordshire Police Authority, said: “We know in today’s difficult economy every penny counts for many of our residents but our decision has very much been guided by their views and the fact that most would be prepared to pay more towards policing if it meant their communities remained safe and that we are always there when they need us.” Bedford Borough Labour Councillor Colleen Atkins, who sits on the authority, backed the move which, the police authority said, was supported by 65 per cent of 916 people in a survey.
She said: “I have every sympathy with taxpayers, however I think we have a duty to make sure the police have sufficient resources.” She dismissed the KitKat example saying that she wasn’t making a decision based on the price of the chocolate bar but because it was the right thing to do.
Cllr Michael Headley, portfolio holder for finance at Bedford Borough Council and a member of Bedfordshire and Luton Fire Authority, said: “A two per cent increase is being considered by the fire authority but I support a freeze and believe there shouldn’t be a rise.”
