Fire Service agrees council tax rise to protect public safety

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority has agreed to increase its council tax precept by 1.99 per cent for 2013/14.

The average Band D household will pay £75.39 for the year for the fire service, an increase of £1.47 for the year.

The decision comes after Devon & Somerset received the third worst grant settlement nationally from the Government among fire and rescue authorities.

The Authority’s Government grant has been reduced by 10.3% in 2013 and a further 7.3% in 2014, which means the Service will lose £3.4m in the next financial year and a further £2.1m the following year.

The Authority will continue to lobby the Government for a fairer grant settlement in future years.

Cllr Mark Healey, Chairman of the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority, said: “We have the highest number of fire stations and fire engines in the country outside London but receive far less funding than many other authorities.

“The rural nature of a large part of our region has to be taken into account and we will be asking the Government to look at this issue as a matter of urgency.”

A public consultation survey showed that 50% of the public surveyed agreed it was reasonable for the Authority to raise its council tax, and only 26% disagreed.

Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said: “More than 80% of people said that the Service provides good value for money and are satisfied with the service we provide. That is testament to the dedication of our staff.”

The council tax increase of less than two per cent means that the authority will avoid the requirement to hold a public referendum, which would have cost the Authority an estimated £2.3 million.

However, the Authority will still have to manage the Service with approximately £5.5m less each year.

Proposals showing how the Authority intends to make the required savings while maintaining public safety are currently under consultation. More information on the proposals is on the website at www.dsfire.gov.uk/consultation