Sometimes it seems like we're all stuck in some kind of groundhog day or at least our police and crime commissioner is.

It doesn't seem a year since we heard the now familiar refrain – Cheshire Police needs more money from you, the council tax payers of the county.

This time PCC David Keane is asking you to stump up an extra £2 a month from the average band D household.

According to Mr Keane, this would help Cheshire Police to 'reinvest in neighbourhood policing and tackle serious and complex crime'.

He said it follows a 'disappointing' annual cash settlement from central government where the government 'has once again shifted the burden of police funding onto the local Cheshire tax payer'.

In December, the government announced that Cheshire Constabulary would receive funding to cover 'unavoidable pressures on policing' but it assumes Cheshire taxpayers will fund almost two thirds of this through an increase of the policing precept part of council tax bills.

Mr Keane said: “The government has recognised that we need more money for policing but it is putting the burden on local taxpayers. Cheshire Constabulary has made more than £60 million worth of savings since 2010 but with non-pay budgets now over stretched, we have a stark choice to either fund this locally or significantly cut policing numbers.

“I believe that by funding policing through raising council tax, the government is passing the burden to local residents. But without an increase to the precept, the funding offered for 2019/20 is insufficient to cover existing costs, let alone inflation and increasing demand on our resources.

“With increasing pressures on household budgets, I understand that this proposed government increase to council tax payments is a bitter pill to swallow. However, I been left with no choice but to consult on this difficult option.”

Where do we go with this one?

On the one hand, I don't want to see the number of police officers cut. I want an well-funded and well-staffed police service but at the same time, I also want to feel confident my money isn't being wasted.

The problem is this is the same David Keane who filled the £50,000-a-year position of deputy commissioner with the daughter of family friends in the face of accusations of nepotism and stinging criticism from the Cheshire Police and Crime Panel.

Then, 12 months later, he decided he didn't need a deputy after all and axed the post as part of a 'restructure’.

Then we come on to the sad case of the former chief constable Simon Byrne who was the subject of a long-running and very costly disciplinary hearing.

The bill for the hearing – at which Mr Byrne was cleared of all charges – cost somewhere in the region of £350,00 plus the £100,000 salary cost of Mr Byrne's suspension.

I don't want to go into the rights and wrongs of bringing the case for gross misconduct against Mr Byrne but this is money that could and should have been spent on front line policing.

I'm happy to pay for policing but I would really appreciate it if Mr Keane can give categoric assurances none of it will be wasted.

I suppose the only good thing about all this is you and I can actually have our say if we want to pay more for our policing.

A consultation started earlier this month and runs until January 27 and Warrington residents can meet Mr Keane in Golden Square shopping centre on Friday, January 25, 11am to 2pm.

Might be worth popping down to hear what Commissioner Keane has to say.

The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 27 January 2019.