Scarborough, Whitby and Filey Fire Bills to Increase

Tuesday, 9 February 2021 07:07

The increase is the maximum permitted but still leaves North Yorkshire's Fire and Rescue Service as one of the worst funded in the country.

The amount that council tax payers pay for the Fire and Rescue service in North Yorkshire will go up by 1.99% this year.

it's the maximum increased permitted under a central government capping scheme.

The counties police and fire commissioner Julia Mulligan says she would have increased it further if allowed.

It' will mean An average band D council tax payer will be paying an extra one pound forty five pence a year.

It's the maximum increase allowed under a central government cap.

Michael Porter is the Chief Finance Officer for the counties fire service. He says a recent consultation shows public support for better funding of the service

The survey asked 3,121 respondents how much more they would be prepared to pay per year for fire and rescue services?

•No more than I pay now –a precept freeze - This would mean a cut to the fire and rescue budget due to inflation and current service delivery could not be maintained
•Up to £1.45, an increase of 1.99% - This would raise £432k, keeping up with inflation to maintain current service delivery but no investment in its services
•Up to £5, an increase of 6.9% - This would raise £1.5 million, exceeds inflation, would help reduce the financial shortfall and allow investment in the areas mentioned
•Up to £10, an increase of 13.8% - This would raise £3 million, exceeds inflation, would help reduce the financial shortfall and allow significant investment in the areas mentioned

72% of the respondents were in support of at least the 1.99% increase with 44% saying they would be prepared to see a larger increase.

The 1.99% increase will see the Fire element of a Band D council tax bill in North Yorkshire set at £74.14 for 2021/22 which is an increase of £1.45 over the 2020/21 figure.

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