TAX payers in Gwent could face a 3.7 per cent rise in the amount of money they pay towards policing costs for 2011/12.

The police authority’s audit and resources committee agreed to recommend the rise ahead of a revenue budget setting meeting on February 18.

If members agree to pass the increased precept, band D council tax payers in Gwent would pay an £188.09 - an extra £6.71 on last year’s £181.38.

This amount will be on top of the figures set by county borough councils for their council tax, and in some areas, town or community councils also charge their own separate precept.

The police precept figure was settled upon by committee members after an initial proposal of a 3.85 per cent rise was felt to be too high by some members.

Police authority chairwoman, Cilla Davies, had urged members not to go below 3.85 per cent increase because the force had already made £11.6 million in efficiency savings and there was little room to make more.

She said: “There is more we can do but we are down to the bones and I am fearful. I think it will set up huge problems if we do [go below 3.85].”

But Caerphilly councillor Colin Mann, Torfaen councillor Bob Jones and Monmouthshire councillor Peter Clarke all felt it was too high.

Committee chairman Roger Leadbeter said the committee faced a difficult decision as it tried to balance the financial constraints of Gwent tax payers with the need to maintain the level of service within the force at a time when it was faced 350 staff cuts in a bid to save £24 million over the next four years.

Mr Leadbeter suggested members agree on a compromise of 3.7 percent increase, which was unanimously accepted.

The committee’s recommendation will now go before all police authority members when they meet to set the 2011/12 budget next Friday.