Lincolnshire’s and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has ruled out implementing an emergency council tax increase next year despite the force’s financial woes. Forces can raise their share of the – known as the police precept – by around £14 per year for Band D homes.

However, they can hold a public vote to seek approval for greater increases. Conservative PCC Marc Jones has ruled out doing this, despite .

“Referendums are designed to fail – they’re political stunts which are impossible to win,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. “It would cost around £1.5million, and the legislation means you can’t explain what you would spend the extra money on in the question.

“Even if people support the idea of paying more to stop police job cuts, no one would vote for it. It’s not an option.”

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