Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said policing teams in Surrey will be properly funded to tackle those crimes important to  residents after it was confirmed her proposed   council tax rise will go ahead. 

 The Commissioner’s suggested 4.3% increase in the policing element of the council tax, known as the precept, was discussed at a meeting of the county’s Police and Crime   Panel at Woodhatch Place in Reigate. 

The nine members of the Panel present, made up of local councillors and one independent member, voted on the Commissioner’s proposal with four votes in favour and four votes against with one abstention. The Chair of the Panel cast the deciding vote against. 

However, there were insufficient votes to veto the proposal and the Panel accepted the Commissioner’s precept will come into effect. 

It should be noted that 59% of respondents to the public consultation said they would be willing to pay the £14 increase while 41% voted against it.