Council tax to rise by 3%

Residents in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire are set to pay an extra three per cent a year for the fire service’s proportion of council tax.

The proposal by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority for 2019/20 would equate to an extra £1.98 a year for a Band D property.

The Fire Authority said the rise would allow it to maintain its current service, but does not allow for any growth.

The authority is currently challenging the Home Office’s decision to transfer governance of the fire service from itself to police and crime commissioner Jason Ablewhite.

A judicial review is to be held at a date yet to be confirmed.

Chairman of the fire authority Kevin Reynolds said: “We do everything we can to keep the precept we set as low as possible, and this is demonstrated by the fact we are one of the lowest cost fire and rescue services in the country.

“We have been assessed in our recent government inspection as ‘Good’ for how efficient and effective we are as a service and we have a strong track record of identifying ways in which we can be more cost effective to either plug funding gaps, or reinvest back into the service to help us continue to improve.”

A three per cent rise means a payment of £70.74 per year for a Band D property. Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed increase can email enquiries@cambsfire.gov.uk or ring 01480 444500 between 8.30am and 5pm.