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Police budgets set to be capped Police budgets set to be capped
(about 8 hours later)
Up to five police authorities in England will have their budgets capped, the government is expected to say. Five police authorities in England will have their budgets capped, the government is expected to say.
The move is intended to curb rises considered excessive by ministers. The authorities are likely to be Lincolnshire, Cheshire, Leicestershire, Cleveland and Warwickshire.
Among them is Lincolnshire police authority which increased its precept by nearly 80%, adding an extra £2 a week to the average council tax bill. Lincolnshire police authority has the highest request. It has increased its stake of the council tax by 80%, adding an extra £2 a week to the average bill.
The Local Government Association said capping made no sense and could mean up to 40 councils having to send out lower bills at huge cost. Ministers say the rises are excessive but the Local Government Association said capping made no sense.
Extra officersExtra officers
The government's powers to cap local tax increases apply to police and fire authorities, as well as councils. Council tax is shared between a number of bodies, including the council, police and fire services.
BBC local government correspondent John Andrew said up to five police authorities would be told on Thursday their proposed increases were too high. The five police authorities have increased their share or precept of the council tax. But the government has the power to cap police and fire authorities, as well as councils.
At the time Lincolnshire announced a precept rise of almost 80%, the chief constable praised the police authority for being brave and ending years of under funding. BBC local government correspondent John Andrew said it is expected the five authorities will be told on Thursday that their proposed increases are too high.
"All of them have rises well above 5%, which is deemed to be the limit," he said.
When Lincolnshire announced its rise - which amounts to an extra £60 million in their budget - the chief constable praised the police authority for being brave and ending years of under funding.
The authority said it would mean scores of extra police and community support officers.The authority said it would mean scores of extra police and community support officers.
The Local Government Association said capping would mean up to 40 councils would have to send out lower bills at huge cost.
A government spokesman said ministers would not hesitate to protect council tax payers from excessive increases.A government spokesman said ministers would not hesitate to protect council tax payers from excessive increases.
The authorities affected will have three weeks to lobby ministers before a final decision is taken.The authorities affected will have three weeks to lobby ministers before a final decision is taken.