Cheshire Fire Authority consults on its 2025/2026 precept

Cheshire Fire Authority has launched a consultation on its precept (its share of council tax) for the forthcoming 2025/2026 financial year.

As the publicly accountable body responsible for providing a fire and rescue service to the communities of Cheshire, the Authority has two main sources of income. The first is grants from Government, which make up around 30% of its budget, and the second is through local council tax precept, which accounts for the remaining 70%. The Authority's total budget for 2024/2025 was £56.48m.

A legal duty to set a balanced budget means the Authority must match its income with its outgoings. These include paying staff wages, purchasing firefighting equipment, improving and maintaining its buildings and paying for things like energy and fuel.

The Authority continues to face significant financial pressures as a result of increases in external costs, employer national insurance contributions and pay increases for staff, which are negotiated on a national basis. Even after identifying savings, the Authority could have a funding gap of nearly £1m when it attempts to settle its 2025/2026 budget.

To assist fire and rescue authorities, the Government has confirmed that it will allow them to increase their precept by up to £5.00 per year for a Band D property and proportionately for other bands. This would enable the Authority to cover some of the projected funding gap and deliver its plans to provide the best possible emergency response and prevention work in the community.

Councillor Stef Nelson, Chair of Cheshire Fire Authority, said: “Despite the impact of austerity and not receiving capital funding from central Government since 2014, we have in recent years been able to invest in our staff and services through careful financial management and planning.

"We have been able to invest in new technology and equipment to improve the safety of firefighters and the community, and modernise our buildings including a new training centre in Winsford and replacement fire stations in Chester and Crewe. This has helped to make ours one of the most effective and efficient fire and rescue services in the country.

"While I understand this is a difficult ask we are making of local taxpayers, this modest increase of £5 per year on a Band D property would help us to meet some of our cost pressures so we can maintain our services and continue to provide the excellent fire and rescue service that our community deserves."

Cheshire Fire Authority will consider its budget and agree its council tax precept for 2025/2026 at its February 2025 meeting. Before deciding what to do, the Authority is keen to understand what people think.

Residents are encouraged to take a few moments to share their views on the proposed increase by completing a short online survey, open until Friday 24 January 2025: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CheshireFirePrecept2025-2026