Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) is consulting Royal Berkshire residents and staff on Council Tax funding for the next financial year until 12noon on 31 January 2025.
RBFA is committed to delivering value for money across the services provided to local residents. However, due to significant budgetary pressure as outlined in this letter, to maintain the current level of service RBFA is proposing a £5 increase for 2025/2026, based on a Band D precept, to £86.31.
Where your money is spent
- Response. We work to ensure our people are trained and resources are located to provide the most effective response and to have a positive impact on incidents in our communities. We provide advice, consultation and enforcement in relation to fire safety standards in buildings.
- Prevention. We work to reduce risk to our communities through our partnership duties and prevention education activities, ensuring that our services are accessible to all.
- Protection. We support those with responsibility for premises to understand their duties in ensuring the safety of all people using buildings covered by the Building Safety Act 2022 and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, whilst ensuring that our services are accessible to all.
- Resilience. We will ensure our resilience and work with our partners to promote and build resilience in the communities we serve.
- Sustainability. We will ensure that we provide a financially sustainable and environmentally friendly service to our communities.
- People. We will support our staff by providing a safe and inclusive environment for them to thrive in, building a diverse organisation that is engaged with, and accessible to, our communities.
Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, Councillor Brooks, said:
“As Chair of the Fire Authority, I am acutely aware of the financial pressures that all residents must contend with. Therefore, it is important for you to know that the Fire Authority is committed to providing excellent services as well as delivering value for money.
“As part of the plan to balance the budget for 2025/26, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority will deliver a significant programme of savings next year, amounting to £863,000.”
“However, this will still leave the Fire Authority with a large funding shortfall for next year, which means I am recommending that we raise the Band D precept by £5 per annum to £86.31 in order to maintain current service levels to the public. This will most likely still leave the Authority in the lowest quartile of precepting fire authorities in the country.”
RBFRS is encouraging anyone that lives, works or travels in Royal Berkshire to have their say in the survey, which is available until 12pm on 31 January 2025.
Further information can be found in the Corporate Plan and Integrated Risk Management Plan 2023-2027 and in a letter from Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.
Any questions, or comments can be emailed to precepting@rbfrs.co.uk.