Tax rise will help 'replace old fire engines'

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said a "dire national funding situation" had led to the increase, which will come in from April

A fire service's council tax precept will increase by £5 a year, for a Band D property, to "support frontline services transformation" and help replace older fire engines and equipment.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority voted unanimously, although "reluctantly", to approve the rise to £117.72 from April, due to the "dire national funding situation".

Authority vice chair, Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Headley, said it was "necessary for the service this year to replace ageing fire engines and vital operational equipment".

Chief fire officer Andrew Hopkinson added that the "necessary and realistic" budget would lay the foundation for investment in the service.

The authority said its members chose a 4.44%, rather than a 2.99% increase, to "generate an additional £400,000 to maintain the frontline services people rely on" with its 2025-26 revenue budget set at almost £43m.

Headley said: "There is a gap of over £470,000 caused by a reduction in government grant funding. On top of that, the government's National Insurance employer contribution increases have caused a further £240,000 shortfall."

He added that "other cost pressures have come from the unfunded changes to firefighters' national terms and conditions leaving us with one of the most challenging financial positions we have ever faced".

'Rapidly growing county'

As well as the increase, Headley said the authority was "meeting this with a balance of making savings of over £350,000".

Mr Hopkinson told the budget meeting that Bedfordshire was a "very rapidly growing county" and it had to "keep pace with that growth".

He added: "We will not rest until we have identified the necessary efficiencies whilst also seeking opportunities for external investment in the service as well."

However, Conservative Central Bedfordshire councillor Richard Wenham pointed out that the majority of the public who responded to a consultation on the increase were opposed to it.

Wenham told the meeting that he "would like some reassurance from the chief fire officer that we are not just taking £5 for the sake of it".

He added: "It is important residents see that it is being put up to support frontline services transformation and increased provision where it is appropriate, and not being used just to shore up back-office services."