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Two Whitehall departments are set to clash over who caps police authorities. Local government minister John Healey warned last week that any police authority that proposed an increase 5% risked capping, but they are the domain of the Home Office. A Home Office spokesman said it has a ‘responsibility to ensure pay settlements take into account affordability and consistency with government pay policy, including the maintenance of low inflation'. The latest is Lincolnshire Police Authority whose decision to set a precept rise of almost 80% has sparked outrage among district councillors. IThe authority met last week to look at a variety of different budget options and opted for a 78.9% increase, which will cost band D householders an extra £2 a week. But the decision was greeted with dismay by North Kesteven DC, who have written to the Home Office and local MPs expressing their concerns. 'We are outraged at the level of increase,' said council leader Marion Brighton. ‘I and my fellow councillors are truly dismayed that this figure has been requested.' The rise will cover a £6m budget shortfall and allow extra police officers and support officers on the streets. ‘Without additional investment, the service gaps would have grown and we would not have been doing our job in ensuring that Lincolnshire has an efficient and effective service,' said authority chairman Angela Crowe. Bob Jones, chairman of the Association of Police Authorities, said: ‘It is right that Linconshire, like other police authorites, has taken into account individual local circumstances and has set police council tax at a level which will enable the delivery of policing according to the needs and requirements of local people.'

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WHITEHALL

Whitehall set for clash over capping

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