BARNSLEY residents are being urged to have their say on proposals to increase the police precept - the part of council tax that helps fund South Yorkshire Police.
Local police and fire services are funded through a mix of government grants - around three quarters of the total budget - and the remainder is raised through the council tax precept.
In South Yorkshire, the policing precept makes up about 11 per cent of a typical council tax bill.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard says that extra funding for policing means better policing - safer neighbourhoods, more visible policing, quicker response times and for officers to be equipped with the modern tools they need to do their job.
If the precept is increased in line with government expectations - £15 per year (29 pence per week) for a Band D property or a £10 increase (or 19p per week) for a Band A property, South Yorkshire Police will receive £396.5m next year.
That includes £289.8m from the government and £106.7m from the precept - a 4.7 per cent (£17.8m) increase on last year’s settlement.
The majority of properties in South Yorkshire are in Band A - 57 per cent.
Before making his decision on increasing the policing precept, the Mayor is seeking views from across the communities of South Yorkshire.
The results will help to inform his decision which will be proposed to the Police and Crime Panel in February 2026.
Mayor Coppard said: “One of the most important jobs I have as South Yorkshire’s mayor is to make sure South Yorkshire Police has the resources it needs to keep us and our communities safe.
“That means making sure our police are focused on the priorities we share, and that every pound is spent wisely to deliver on those priorities.
“I’ve heard what matters most: reducing neighbourhood crime, more visible policing on our streets, tackling antisocial behaviour and serious, violent crime, and making our transport network safer.
“A modest increase to the police precept would help the police to tackle those priorities.
“Every year, I have to make tough decisions about how we fund policing - balancing what our police need to do their job with the impact on household budgets.
“That’s why I want to hear from everyone across South Yorkshire before I set the precept that helps pay for our police.”
He said that should the precept be raised by the maximum amount, the money would go towards reducing neighbourhood crime, increasing visible policing and targeting youth antisocial behaviour.
The force will also be able to strengthen safety on transport networks, tackle serious and violent crime and invest in modern policing resources such as new technology like AI.
Anyone wishing to submit their views can do so by following the link on the Barnsley Chronicle website.
