This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7315705.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Police budgets set to be capped Police authority budgets capped
(about 4 hours later)
Five police authorities in England will have their budgets capped, the government is expected to say. Seven police authorities and one city council in England will have their budgets capped for forcing council tax rises beyond the government's limit.
The authorities are likely to be Lincolnshire, Cheshire, Leicestershire, Cleveland and Warwickshire. The authorities are Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Surrey and Warwickshire.
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. Local Government Minister John Healey said it was "necessary" to take action.
Ministers say the rises are excessive but the Local Government Association said capping made no sense. Lincolnshire police authority made the highest demand. It has increased its stake of the council tax by 80%, adding an extra £2 a week to the average bill.
Inflation-busting rises
Another city authority, Portsmouth City Council, also faces having its budget capped.
Council tax gathered from local residents is shared between a number of bodies, including the council, police and fire services.
If any of these stakeholders demand an excessive share of the pot, then the council passes on a rise in council tax to residents.
We will act to protect council tax payers from excessive increases John Healey, local government minister
But the government does not permit inflation-busting council tax increases, and can force a cap on the demands.
Mr Healey told the Commons: "While I am disappointed that it has been necessary to take action this year, I make no apologies for it.
"Keeping council tax under control is and will remain a top priority for government and we will act to protect council tax payers from excessive increases."
The BBC's local government correspondent John Andrew said: "All of them have rises well above 5%, which is deemed to be the limit."
Extra officersExtra officers
Council tax is shared between a number of bodies, including the council, police and fire services.
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.
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.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.
Ministers say the rises are excessive but the Local Government Association said capping made no sense.
The Local Government Association said capping would mean up to 40 councils would have to send out lower bills at huge cost.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.
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.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said council tax in England is set to rise by an average of 4% in the coming year.
But the current rate of inflation is 2.5%, according to the consumer prices index.