Cheshire Fire Authority precept increase

Cheshire Fire Authority has launched its annual consultation on its precept increase for 2025/2026.

Precepts form part of your annual council tax bill – and include costs of the Fire Authority, Police and town or parish councils.

Each year, they launch a ‘consultation’ which is usually a fait accompli – in that the figures have already been decided.

As so few residents consider their options and vote, the decision can be carried by a tiny minority.

Cheshire Fire Authority has two main sources of income – a grant from Government, which accounts for 30% of its budget, and through the council tax precept, which accounts for the remaining 70%.

The Authority’s total budget for 2024/2025 was £56.48m.

The Authority must match its income with its outgoings which include staff wages, equipment, building maintenance, energy and fuel.

The Authority will have been hit by the Government’s decision to increase national insurance and pay increases for staff, which are negotiated on a national basis and claims it could be facing a funding gap when settling its 2025/2026 budget.

The Government is permitting the Fire Authority to increase its 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

A £5 increase on Band D properties would result in the following increases (in the precept). Note: this precept is added to the precept from Cheshire Police plus local town or parish council precepts then added to the element claimed by Cheshire East – which forms the total of your council tax bill.

Band A – an increase of £3.33 per year, taking the annual precept from £60.06 to £63.39.
Band B – an increase of £3.89 per year, taking the annual precept from £70.07 to £73.96.
Band C – an increase of £4.44 per year, taking the annual precept from £80.08 to £84.52.
Band D – an increase of £5.00 per year, taking the annual precept from £90.09 to £95.09.
Band E – an increase of £6.11 per year, taking the annual precept from £110.11 to £116.22
Band F – an increase of £7.22 per year, taking the annual precept from £130.13 to £137.35
Band G – an increase of £8.33 per year, taking the annual precept from £150.15 to £158.48.
Band H – an increase of £10.00 per year, taking the annual precept from £180.18 to £190.18