Police and Crime Panel backs PCC proposal for 2026–27 precept increase
COUNCIL Tax payers in North Wales will see a 50p-a-week increase in the policing precept after the proposal was approved by the North Wales Police and Crime Panel.
The decision was made at a meeting held this morning (Tuesday) at Coed Pella in Colwyn Bay, where panel members agreed Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin’s proposal for the 2026–27 financial year.
The increase means households in an average Band D property will pay an extra £26.10 per year towards policing.
Around half of North Wales Police’s budget comes from central government funding, with the remainder raised through Council Tax via the policing precept set by the PCC and approved by the Police and Crime Panel.
The panel is made up of councillors and independent members from across North Wales, who are responsible for scrutinising the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner and approving key decisions such as the police budget.
The increase follows a public consultation, in which nearly half of respondents said they would support a rise of at least £25 per year to fund policing. The approved figure of £26.10 is in line with what many residents said they would be prepared to pay.
Pat Astbury, Chair of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel, said the decision had not been taken lightly.
“We are acutely conscious of the financial and cost-of-living pressures facing all Council Tax payers in North Wales, and the decision around any increase cannot be taken lightly.
“However, we believe that a rise of 50p per week for an average Band D represents good value for money to secure an effective and well-resourced Force, especially if available funding is invested in areas where residents have told the PCC they wish to see a difference.”
PCC Andy Dunbobbin welcomed the decision, thanking panel members for their scrutiny and support.
“The increase is in line with the figure many who took part in the survey were prepared to pay for policing, but I still understand how hard things are for many in the current economic climate,” he said.
“That is why I have sought to keep any increase as low as possible while ensuring the Force has the resources it needs to keep us all safe.”
He said the additional funding would be targeted at key priority areas, including the Force Control Centre to improve response times, the Digital Forensics Unit to support investigations, and the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit.
Mr Dunbobbin added that he would continue working with the Chief Constable to deliver a well-funded police service focused on neighbourhood policing, supporting victims and communities, and maintaining a fair and effective criminal justice system across North Wales.
