Councils vote against Brunstrom
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_west/6357471.stm Version 0 of 1. A third north Wales town council has formally expressed a lack of confidence in chief constable Richard Brunstrom. Holyhead Town Council gave a vote of no confidence in him and the North Wales Police Authority. Colwyn Bay and Amlwch councils have passed similar resolutions. On Friday, the authority will set its budget. Mr Brunstrom did not comment, but in his blog, or web diary, he said UK government money was insufficient to maintain the current level of service. Cliff Everett, the clerk of Holyhead Town Council, said: "Two years ago the police precept went up here to pay for additional bobbies on the beat. Those posts have been bought and paid for but they haven't materialised. "The council doesn't have any confidence in Mr Brunstrom nor in the body which employs him: the police authority." Last month, Colwyn Bay Town Council was critical of Mr Brunstrom's management of the police service after the post of community beat manager in the town was withdrawn. At Friday's meeting, treasurer Nigel Thomas is due to say a new option of an 8.5% rise in the police precept for council taxpayers is his preferred option. Mr Brunstrom is expected to put forward three options - rises of 5%, 10% or 15%. But according to the agenda, Mr Thomas will say 5% would inevitably have an impact on neighbourhood policing, and 10% and 15% would probably attract capping by the Welsh Assembly Government. Mr Thomas is due to recommend 8.5% - a cost to a band D taxpayer of £181 a year - as the most prudent and as it "most nearly reflects the opinion of the public." In his blog on the North Wales Police website, Mr Brunstrom writes: "The situation is really very simple: the government in London has yet again not given us enough money to maintain current levels of service. "The police authority is therefore left with two choices - they either cut services or increase the council tax to make up the shortfall. A real dilemma." |