Police special constables in South Holland are set to be given a 25 per cent discount on their council tax.
The Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones has written to all district councils requesting the discount for the officers who aren’t paid for their work.
Of the 118 special officers in Lincolnshire, 12 are currently based in South Holland.
South Holland District Council’s Cabinet backed the move at its meeting on Tuesday.
Councillors were told that other local authorities would provide contributions to offset the estimated loss in council tax of £5,306 so that the cost to the council would be just £539.
Coun Peter Coupland advised members there could be “claims of inequality from other voluntary groups who might feel equally deserving of such a discretionary discount.”
But councillors voted it through.
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said: “I have some sympathy with other voluntary groups who may come forward claiming parity but in all honesty I don’t think any of those groups experience the same level of risk in their everyday voluntary situations that our police constables now experience.
“Even special constables in rural communities can experience the worst possible types of violence.”
Coun Christine Lawton backed the proposals saying she couldn’t think of anyone else who put their lives on the line like these officers do, with the exception of the RLNI while Coun Rodney Grocock added: “It’s an excellent idea. These special constables don’t get paid and this would be a wonderful way of recruiting even more.”
