Fire service's 4.18% council tax increase approved

A fire service's share of council tax will increase by 4.18% as it seeks to raise revenue to ensure its stations can remain open.

The amount Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service charges will rise to £124.44 for a Band D property in 2026-27 - an annual increase of £4.99.

It was approved by Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority on Tuesday and came after concerns were voiced about the service's financial position.

Councillor David Minnery, the authority's chairman, said the increase was needed to "ensure that all the fire stations can stay open".

He previously said the amount of money the county was getting from the government through the financial settlement was "disappointing", describing it as a "slap in the face".

"We try not to be a political organisation but register disappointment that the government did not listen to our submissions or those of Shropshire Council," the Liberal Democrat member said.

The fire service's budget for 2026-27 has been set at £31.083m and the revenue from council tax will make up £22.6m of that amount.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.