Increasing council tax precept

Last week it was Cheshire Police, this week it’s Cheshire Fire Authority seeking approval to increase their take from your council taxes.

According to the Police and Crime Commissioner, David Keane, he’s advised that we’d all be happy to pay more – to reduce the impact of the £5 million shortfall. He is however, belatedly seeking our agreement to back up this assertion.

I’ve suggested that, in the light of our report :-

£76,000 p.a. Chief of Staff for Police & Crime Commissioner

and http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/questions-asked-over-appointment-cheshires-12776392 they shut down his department, which should save at least £1 million.

Something tells me he’ll ignore that particular piece of advice.

To my knowledge the Fire Authority doesn’t have a department or person equivalent to the P&CC, so hopefully, every penny is spent on fighting fires rather than public opinion.

That being the case, I’m sure they’re worth the extra money – so their media release is presented unedited:

Cheshire Fire Authority has recently consulted on its draft Integrated Risk Management Plan for 2018/19. Part of this consultation sought views on proposals to increase the Fire Authority’s share of council tax (called a precept) by 1.99% in 2018/19. If taken forward, this would see the precept by Cheshire Fire Authority increase by £1.46 per year to £74.75 for a Band D equivalent property.

Chair of Cheshire Fire Authority (CFA), Cllr Bob Rudd ,explained: “Very late in our consultation process, on 19th December, the Government announced that local authorities – including fire and rescue authorities – would be allowed to raise their share of council tax by 3% before the need to hold a public referendum on a proposed increase.

Therefore, CFA is seeking views on proposals to increase its share of council tax by 2.99% in 2018/19.”

An increase of 2.99% for 2018/19 would see the precept charged by Cheshire Fire Authority increase by £2.19 per year to £75.48 for a Band D equivalent property. This would help the Authority in balancing the budget against a reduction in central government funding between now and 2020/21.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock added: “The Authority, like other public sector bodies used to receive an annual capital grant from the Government. Since 2014 the Authority has not received an annual capital grant and it seems extremely unlikely that such a grant will be reintroduced under the current financial constraints. This means that the CFA has to look at other ways to balance the budget and ensure the safety of the residents of Cheshire.

“Please let us know what you think about proposing to increase Cheshire Fire Authority’s share of council tax by 2.99% in 2018/19, we welcome your views.”

Both the original proposal to increase the Authority’s share of council tax by 1.99% and the proposal to increase it by 2.99% instead will be considered by Members of Cheshire Fire Authority at their meeting on Wednesday 14th February 2018.

The consultation will close on Monday 12th February 2018. You can have your say by clicking on this link –

http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/home/cheshire-fire-authority-201819-council-tax-precept-consultation