Lowest fire council tax increase in UK

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Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service has agreed the lowest council tax increase of any fire service in the UK.

The ONE per cent increase has been managed despite inflation and a cut in previously expected funding from Central Government.

Efficiency savings have been made by the Fire Chief and his team in areas throughout the organisation.

“I would like to reassure people that these savings have not been made by reducing the responsiveness of our 999 crews but by our people working more effectively on fire stations and in our central offices,” said Chief Fire Officer Paul Fuller on Friday February 5th at the Combined Fire Authority (CFA) where local council representatives approved the 2010/2011 budget,

“I would also like to remind people that we offer a FREE home fire safety check and smoke detector fitting service to all our residents in Bedfordshire and Luton and ask that your home is not protected to contact us straight away on 0800 043 5042 or go to www.bedsfire.com.”

Cllr Sian Timoney Chair of the CFA said: “We understand and appreciate that the current economic climate is having an impact upon all sections our community. Indeed as an Authority we are always mindful of the need to ensure we provide value for money and as such our Council Tax increase at Band D for 2009/10 was amongst the lowest nationally.

“For 2010- 2011 the CFA has increased the Council Tax at Band D by one per cent. This means that your Fire and Rescue Service is provided for under 23p pr day, which I believe represents very good value for money.”

*BLFRS is joint lowest in terms of council tax increases by FRSs together with two other brigades: Royal Berkshire and Tyne and Wear

National Average FRS authority increase 2.17 %. National Average share of council tax increase 2.4%.