Fire service set for a zero per cent council tax increase

BEDS and Luton Fire and Rescue Service is set to have a zero per cent increase in its share of council tax.

The cost to an average Band D household will be £82.44 in 2011-12, the same as for the last 12 months.

The lion’s share of counxil tax is charged by Bedford Borough or Central Beds Council, with smaller amounts going to the fire service, the police authority, and town and village councils.

Although the service is set to have its government funding cut be 25 per cent over the next four years, fire bosses claimed they had been able to make savings to offset this shortfall without affecting its performance.

Fire chief Paul Fuller said: “We will still be there when you dial 99 and we will still be working in the community.

“There will be no loss of frontline service and no station closures.”

Assistant chief fire officer Julian Sears added: “The previous government set out efficiency saving targets for all fire and rescue authorities for the three years 2008-09 to 2010-11. Our target was £1.260million and we beat that by £0.386million.”