COUNCIL taxpayers will have to pay an average of an extra £3.48 for the police in Avon and Somerset next year.

The 1.99 per cent rise demanded by the force was unanimously approved by the police and crime panel on Monday following proposals from Police and Crime Commission Sue Mounstevens.

It will see the average Band D household paying £178.26 for policing in the year from April.

The increase follows Somerset County Council's announcement that it wants to up Band D bills by £52 or 3.99 per cent to pay for its services, which include adult social care, education and libraries.

And Taunton Deane Council, which covers planning, waste collection and environmental health, is looking to add £6.74 to average annual bills, taking them to £142.88 - with £1.74 of that going towards tackling flooding on the Somerset Levels.

Ms Mountstevens said: “This was not a proposal I considered lightly - I am fully aware that hardworking families will find any tax increase difficult.

"Although George Osborne said that he would protect the police budget, he expected Commissioner’s across the country to rise the policing part of the council tax in order to keep the police budget balanced.

“Over 70 per cent of the 3,000 people we spoke to said that they supported an increase in the policing part of the council tax.

"I hope that like me the constabulary takes heart from this support because it shows that their hard work is valued and appreciated by the communities they serve.

"I am also pleased that the Police and Crime Panel unanimously accepted my proposals.”

At the meeting the panel reviewed the budget proposals with the PCC and acknowledged that the final police funding settlement is better than had been feared.

However, it noted that £16.7million of savings is still required over the next five years to balance the books and the police face ever more complex demand and higher numbers of vulnerable victims.

The PCC reiterated her continued commitment to work with the Chief Constable to drive efficiency from collaboration and partnership working, in order to meet the emerging demand pressures and enhance service delivery at the same time as making the required savings.

Panel chairman Cllr Nigel Ashton said: "While we all understand that tax increases are never popular, we do accept that policing has a great deal of support in the community.

"The 1.99% precept increase equates to £3.48 per year on an average band D property. We therefore unanimously supported the Commissioner’s proposal.”