Berkshire fire authority wants 'essential' council tax hike amid budget worries

A consultation has begun over a hike to a council tax precept by the elected authority governing firefighting forces in Berkshire.

Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) has proposed a £5 increase, based on a band D property, to £91.31, which would be introduced for the 2025/26 financial year on April 1.

Emergency services, including police and firefighters, are funded in part through council tax contributions known as a precept.

Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, Councillor Brooks, said the hike was ‘essential’ and would likely be needed for three years consecutively to cover budget problems.

RBFA had a budget of £47.97million for the last financial year, having approved a council tax precept increase in 2025

More than £40million is spent on employees and more than £2million on its premises.

It is having to make savings, the authority said, but a budget shortfall means another council tax hike is needed.

Cllr Brooks said: “Given the significant cost pressures that the authority faces, we are focused on improving the efficiency of our service and are committed to delivering over £940,000 in savings in 2026/27.

“We shall use the savings made to invest in the vital services that we provide to the public, while also delivering a balanced budget.

“However, reductions in funding from central Government, combined with an increase in demand for our services, means that raising the Band D precept for 2026/27 is essential.

“I am recommending that we raise the Band D precept by £5 per annum to £91.31 to maintain current service levels to the public.

“Likewise, the same increase per annum for the following two years would align to the Government’s three-year settlement and partly offset the reduction in central funding over this period.”

The consultation is open until February 2 and can be completed online.