Fire and Rescue Authority approve budget

Friday, 10 February 2023 00:00

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority has approved a budget of £65.99 million for 2023-24.

At its meeting on 8 February, the Authority agreed to increase its share of the council tax by £5 (less than 10p per week) for Band D properties in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Dorset, Swindon and Wiltshire – an annual fire precept for Band D of £84.43 for the Fire and Rescue Service for the year starting on 1 April 2023.

Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell said: “Elected Members and Officers have been working with our 15 MPs across Dorset and Wiltshire, the Home Office, DLUHC and the National Fire Chiefs Council, to seek the freedoms and flexibilities to increase the fire precept for Band D properties by a modest £5 per year or just 10p per week.

"I am pleased that this flexibility has been offered to us for 2023/24. This additional funding does relieve some of the financial pressure we are under, but we still must find savings where we can.

“We are a lean Service with a strong track record of performance, efficiency savings and ensuring value for money. Our recent His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspection rated us as ‘outstanding’ in efficiency.

"We continue to face financial challenges and will need to work extremely hard to maintain levels of prevention, protection and emergency response provision to our communities.”

Cllr Rebecca Knox, Chair of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority, added: “Members considered both the £5 increase and the option of raising our share of the council tax by 3%. Members unanimously agreed that the £5 was the most prudent and sustainable option in the face of the ongoing economic issues and global financial uncertainty.

"We know that any increase is difficult for bill-payers, but our council tax level remains below the national average, and we believe strongly that our Fire and Rescue Service provides excellent value for money.”

Papers from the Fire Authority meeting can be found on the DWFRS website.