Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service plans to raise council tax to cover rising costs and maintain service quality amid budget challenges
Cambridgeshire: The Fire Service is raising council tax to tackle budget issues. For a Band D household, this means an annual contribution of £87.21. That’s about £7.27 a month or roughly £1.68 a week.
Chief Fire Officer Matthew Warren mentioned that increasing council tax is tough, especially with families feeling the financial pinch. But they have to make this move due to the end of a long partnership with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.
This partnership helped save over £12 million, but now they need to find an extra £1 million each year just to keep things running smoothly. It’s disappointing to lose this collaboration, as it provided great service during busy times.
Most of the extra funds from the tax hike will help cover the new control costs. The rest will go towards inflation and improving response times, ensuring crews have the right tools for their jobs.
Cambridgeshire is growing fast, and they need to be ready for future demands. Councillor Edna Murphy emphasized their commitment to providing value for money and maintaining a high-quality service.
They’ve been pushing for a fairer financial deal for the county, especially after making significant cuts in recent years. This year, they can ask for an extra £5 in local council tax, which is a bit of a lifeline, but it still limits service improvements.
Matthew also shared plans to enhance response times and ensure more fire engines are available around the clock. They’re also focusing on fire prevention to protect residents and businesses.
The Fire Authority will finalize the budget at their meeting on February 13.
