Fire service considers £400k rates rise appeal

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority held a meeting at the fire service's base in Shrewsbury

A fire service is considering a challenge of a £400,000 rise in its annual rates bill that was prompted by the refurbishment of a station.

The six-figure rise in Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service's "non-domestic rates" came after the near £14m redevelopment of Telford Central Fire Station.

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority said the budgets had been adjusted to cope with the increase, but it was looking at the possibility of challenging how the revaluation was done.

"That figure is currently with a consultant who is working on an appeal on that number to verify that the number is in fact correct," said Joanne Coadey, head of finance at the fire authority.

She told a meeting of the fire authority on Thursday that they had anticipated increases in utilities and running costs but not the rise in non-domestic rates.

It was hoped the figure would be reduced should an appeal be lodged, Ms Coadey added.

The meeting heard the fire service was able to cope with the increase partly because there had been an underspend in the pay budget, caused by staff vacancies.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.