PCC proposes £26 a year council tax rise to fund policing
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin has announced plans to seek approval for a 50p per week increase in the policing precept for the 2026 to 2027 financial year.
The proposal would add £26.10 per year to the council tax bill of a Band D property. The increase will be considered by the North Wales Police and Crime Panel at a meeting on 30 January 2026.
Around half of the police budget in North Wales is funded by the UK Government, with the remainder raised through council tax. The exact level of government funding for the next financial year has not yet been confirmed.
The Police and Crime Commissioner said that, if funding allows, the additional income could be used to invest in areas including the Force Control Centre to improve response times, the Digital Forensics Unit to support crime investigations, and the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit.
A public consultation carried out over six weeks from 10 November to 19 December received more than 1,300 responses. Nearly half of respondents said they supported an increase of at least £25 per year.
The survey was promoted through social media, paper copies at libraries and police stations, community groups, and public events. These included six People’s Pulse engagement sessions held in Bangor, Ruthin, Flint, Wrexham, Barmouth and Colwyn Bay.
Andy Dunbobbin said: “My decision to propose a £26.10 increase per year in the Policing Precept for an average property for 2026/7 has not been an easy one. I know that many people and many families are struggling with the cost of living.”
He added: “If we have sufficient funding available, I hope to see investment in several areas that people tell me all the time they want to see improved, such as Police response via 999 and 101.”
The policing precept forms part of council tax bills but is used solely to fund policing. Other elements of council tax contribute towards services such as fire and rescue, refuse collection, education and social care.
The Police and Crime Panel, made up of ten councillors from across North Wales and three independent members, will make the final decision. The meeting will be held at Coed Pella in Colwyn Bay and will be live streamed on Conwy County Borough Council’s website.
Mr Dunbobbin said residents struggling to pay their council tax should contact their local council to ask about available support.
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