Funding for fire and rescue – survey open

BERKSHIRE: A consultation is underway over Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s funding through council tax for the upcoming financial year.

The consultation by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RFBA) is open until 5pm on Tuesday, February 1.

The average Band D householder pays £68.95 per year for the fire and rescue service through a council tax precept.

Under RBFA proposals, this would increase by £5 in 2022-2023.

In a letter to residents , Cllr Colin Dudley, chairman of RFBA, said: “The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service revenue budget for 2021/22 is £35.8 million.

“Two thirds of our funding is received from council tax.

“The other main sources of income are Government grants and business rates.”

But, he said, this central Government funding has fallen by 22 per cent since 2015-2016

He added: “The Government recognises that fire authorities, such as this one, that are in the lowest quartile nationally in terms of council tax charges, face the greatest challenges in addressing immediate pressures and that they require a sustainable funding baseline for the future.

“For this reason, the Government proposes to provide those in the lowest charging quartile with the flexibility to increase the average B and D precept by £5 in 2022/23.

“As the fifth lowest precepting fire authority, we welcome this additional flexibility.”

View the online survey at rbfrs.co.uk/haveyoursay