2 February 2009

This year’s council tax rise to pay for the fire and rescue service is expected to be £2.74 for a band D council tax payer.

Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority will be asked to approve a 4.99 per cent rise at its meeting on 13 February. It would put the annual band D charge up from £54.95 to £57.69.

The recommendation was made by the authority’s executive committee, whose members proposed a budget for 2009-10 of £28.2 million. This is 2.79 per cent higher than the current year's budget of just under £27.5 million.

Cllr David Rowlands, chairman of the committee and the authority, said: “It has been particularly difficult this year to find a way of funding our plans to develop our community safety initiatives, and to continue to provide high-quality fire cover across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

“We are having to do this against a backdrop of compensating for an increase in government funding of only 0.5 per cent, which amount to £56,689.”

Mr Rowlands added that the authority had managed to achieve efficiency savings of £568,000 over the past 12 months, and would continue to seek to reduce costs without compromising safety or effectiveness.

“The resources released through our efficiency measures have been reallocated according to locally determined priorities in line with our Integrated Risk Management Plan.

“Over the year we have worked to deliver several important efficiency projects both regionally and locally with partner authorities. These have led to significant improvements in service delivery, such as revised shift systems enhancing staff productivity, and better procurement through the use of joint procurement contracts.”

This year’s budget allows for committed expenditure including the nationally negotiated pay award, and inflation on contracts such as fuel costs.

The organisation employs 743 people – 351 wholetime firefighters, 228 retained firefighters, 23 emergency control room staff, 122 people who work in a

variety of support services including community safety, fire safety, workshops, finance, human resources, planning, information technology and procurement, and 19 people based at stations such as cooks, cleaners and administrative support staff.

Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority receives about 4p in every £ of your total council tax bill. The rest pays for council and police services.

Proposed Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority council tax levels for 2009-10 by band

If the rise is approved, your council tax bill will include the following total for the year:

Band A - £38.46
Band B - £44.87
Band C - £51.28
Band D - £57.69
Band E - £70.51
Band F - £83.33
Band G - £96.15
Band H - £115.38