Cheshire Fire Authority and Cheshire Police have both agreed to increase their Council Tax precepts by 1.99% next year, keeping under the 2% limit which would have required a referendum.
At a meeting of Cheshire Fire Authority on Wednesday, 13th February, members were told that they will lose 9% of their Government funding in 2013-14 and a further 6% the following year. The cuts mean they will have to make savings of nearly £6 million over the next four years.
Despite major cuts in their Government funding, fire chiefs say they are confident they can continue to protect local communities.
The decision to increase the Council Tax follows a two year freeze and means the amount needed by the Fire Authority for a Band D home in 2013-14 will go up from £66.43 to £67.75, equivalent to an extra 2.5p a week or £1.32 year. The figure for a Band A property will be £45.17 and ranges up to £135.50 for a top Band H home.
Fire Authority Chair Cllr. John Joyce said "I am pleased that despite the severe cuts in our Government funding we have been able to limit any increase to under two per cent as we appreciate the difficult circumstances facing many of our residents.
"It still means making major savings from our budget over the next few years but I believe the far reaching plans we also signed off yesterday ensure we will be able to provide the first class fire and rescue service our communities deserve – and make efficiencies.
"To provide the wide range of safety and emergency response services we do for £1.30 a week for an average household represents good value for money. I'm also pleased that we do not intend closing any stations, nor do we expect to make any firefighters redundant."
Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock told the meeting that the proposals for the future would see the Service actually building some new fire stations, keeping virtually the same number of fire engines but bringing in different staffing arrangements.
The Authority will be using a one-off £4.5 million capital grant from the Government to start the building work on the new stations so there will be no impact on its day to day revenue budget.
Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock said "It might seem odd to be talking about new stations at a time of cutbacks, but these will help ensure our resources are where they are most needed and best reflect risk and activity levels so we can protect local communities while making the efficiencies we need."
Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer is delighted that the Police & Crime Panel supported his proposals this week to set his first budget which, alongside the Police and Crime Plan, sets out how resources will be allocated to the Constabulary.
John Dwyer said, "The Panel supported my Police & Crime Plan in a vote today which means that I can now start to deliver the commitments made in the Plan and in my manifesto, upon which I was elected. I represent all of the people of Cheshire regardless of their politics."
The Panel also approved John Dwyer's proposal to increase the Council tax precept for policing by 1.99%, an average of 6p per week for a Band D property.
John added, "The first promise that I will deliver will be a 'root and branch' review of efficiencies in the Constabulary which, I hope will identify more savings which can be reinvested in the front-line.
"Whilst my budget identifies the necessary £8.3m savings required this year, following a managed process of the reduction of 37 officers through retirement and leavers, the budget will allow for the recruitment of 21 new police officers. Police Community Support Officer numbers will be maintained at 222 subject to partners continuing to fund them where applicable.
"Unfortunately, following a formal consultation process, the number of police staff posts will reduce by 35 during the year. This is a necessary saving required to close the gap in funding reductions."
Cheshire East Council (CEC) has confirmed that their portion of the Council Tax will be frozen for the third year running, as well as for the following year (2014/15).
As a result they will receive a £12.6m Council Tax freeze grant, which CEC says will be used to support Council reforms to deliver frontline services.
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