Fire authority agrees increase in precept
TAXPAYERS in Halton and Cheshire are to pay 1.99% more on their fire precept in 2017-18.
The rise was approved by Cheshire Fire Authority on Tuesday, February 14, as members agreed the integrated risk management plan (IRMP) for 2017-18.
A Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service (CFRS) spokeswoman said that the increase meant occupants of a Band D property will pay £73.29 a year, or £1.43 more annually.
Several changes have been made to the amended IRMP.
Other projects given the go-ahead as part of the IRMP were: ● Redeveloping a training centre at Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service’s Wi n s f o r d headquarters. ● Launching a policy setting out how to react to automatic fire alarms, which contributed to crews attending 3,465 false alarm callouts in 2015-16. ● Work to expand the cardiac response pilot programme with the North ● West Ambulance Service. ● Campaigning to make sure that school sprinkler system requirements remain in place. ● Reviewing staffing arrangements at Macclesfield and Birchwood fire stations, as well as undertaking a further review of the suitability and sustainability of the duty system at Wilmslow Fire Station.
Cllr Bob Rudd, Cheshire Fire Authority chairman, said: “We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to our consultation we have considered all of the feedback received and are now preparing to implement our updated IRMP from April 1.
“Like many other public services, we are facing some challenging times ahead but we believe our plan maintains a strong focus on both the safety of our communities and our firefighters.”
Paul Hancock, chief fire officer, thanked people for sharing their views of the plans and said: “It was particularly great to see that 99% of the public value us and 92% are satisfied with our performance.
“We have a lot of work still to do as there are some big challenges ahead but our commitment to protecting local communities, reducing risk and maintaining firefighters’ safety is paramount.”
The version of the IRMP approved by the authority can be seen on the ‘consultation’ section of the CFRS website www. c h e s h i r e f i re. g ov. u k together with the report on the outcome of 13-week consultation. ●