Fire authority agrees council tax precept increase

A fire service has agreed to increase its council tax precept by 4.85% - meaning a £4.99 rise for a Band D property.

Humberside Fire Authority said it took the decision after considering feedback from a public consultation and considering the "financial challenges" facing the service, including changes to government funding.

Despite the increase, the fire service said it would have to use £3.5m from its reserves and find savings of about £2.4m to balance the books over the next three years.

The fire authority's chair, Councillor Nigel Sherwood, said: "This decision reflects the balance members must strike between affordability for households and the need to invest."

"This decision supports our shared commitment to protecting lives, property and the environment, while continuing to invest in the people who make that possible," he added.

The rise would mean a Band D household could expect to pay £107.92 towards the service over the next financial year.

A spokesperson said the service had responded to more than 11,000 incidents in 2025, alongside prevention and engagement work.

The agreed precept would support continued investment in "our people, resources and estate, helping to make sure the service remains resilient, responsive and fit for the future", they added.

A report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services rated the brigade as "outstanding" both for understanding and preventing fires.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the fire service will lose £2.7m in non-council tax precept funding over the next three years, but aims to deliver a significant capital investment programme over five years.

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