Over 2600 responses were received during a four-week public consultation on the part of Council Tax that goes to the local Fire Authority, with 68.5% agreeing to an increase of 1.99%.
At its meeting on Friday 11 February 2022, Humberside Fire Authority discussed whether to increase the Council Tax precept or to freeze it at its current level for the year 2022/23. The Authority debated the responses from the four-week public consultation, considering the current financial pressures people are facing over increasing energy and inflation rates before unanimously agreeing to raise the precept for 2022/23 by 1.99%.
Kevin Wilson, Executive Director of Corporate Services and Section 151 Officer, said “The Authority’s decision was not made lightly given the current financial pressures people are facing across the country. After a discussion, a unanimous decision was reached to raise the precept to support a Fire and Rescue Service which can effectively and efficiently respond to risk and demand in the Humber region. Helping to keep those who live, work and visit the area safe.
“Most of our budget (£45m) will be spent on fire response and protection activities, with £2.6m spent on financing Fire Engines, Fire Stations and other essential assets."
A total of 2624 responses were received and 68.5% of these agreeing to pay more for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service’s (HFRS) Council Tax precept.
How will this impact on households?
Below is a table showing what the 1.99% increase will mean for the different Council Tax Bands for 2022/23. For a Band D property this means an annual increase of £1.76 or 15p per month, from the 2021/22 precept.
HFRS Budget
There are three main sources of funding that the Authority relies on to supply a fire and rescue service to the community:
- The precept, which is HFRS’s part of Council Tax raised locally
- Grant funding from central government
- HFRS share of Business Rates collected locally in Humberside region
The Authority has delivered efficiencies of £11M (22%) on a starting budget of £50M since 2010/11 to meet funding reductions and has continued to supply a high performing fire and rescue service to the communities in the Humber region.
For more information about the Council Tax precept, please click here.