COUNCIL tax payers in Somerset are set to see another element of their bill go up this year – to pay for policing.

On Tuesday (February 3), the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel met to consider a proposal to increase the police precept – that share of council tax that goes to the force, and put forward by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Clare Moody.

The meeting lasted more than three hours, with the increase – adding £15 a year to council tax bills for an average Band D property – ultimately approved by the panel, made up of 14 councillors from the five local authorities in the force area and three lay members of the public.

The PCC presented her budget for 2026/27 at the meeting, outlining how the increase was necessary to “bridge the gap between the government’s funding of the force and the cost of providing a functioning service”.

Avon & Somerset Police Chief Constable Sarah Crew was also at the meeting, describing the increase as “essential”.

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Speaking after the meeting, chair of the panel, Cllr Heather Shearer, said: “As we have said in previous years, we understand the arguments put forward by the PCC to take the maximum uplift but that additional investment has to deliver real improvements in the service provided by the constabulary.

“All of our communities need to have confidence in the Police, and this will only happen with demonstrable progress, especially in the areas of improvement highlighted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service.

“No-one involved in public service wants to put up taxes paid by local people but in this case, we felt it was necessary.

“Once again this year, the panel was clear that while we knew the precept uplift was essential, the public really need to be assured that positive outcomes will improve across the whole force area and the PCC’s Office and the constabulary are committed to addressing declining public confidence.”

The panel’s report and detailed reasoning for its decision will be available from February 15, with meetings on February 17 and March 24.

The increase is one element of Somerset residents’ council tax bills, and is added to other precepts from the likes of the fire service and local authorities, before a final total is reached.

Click here for an explainer of how council tax bills are set in Somerset.

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