Views sought on North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority budget (From Craven Herald)

Views sought on North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority budget

8:00am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority will consider its proposed budget for 2013/2014 next month and it wants to hear the public’s views on the options.

They range from a freeze on council tax to an increase of two per cent, which would add an extra £1.24 to an average Band D bill. The annual figure stands at £62.10.

A spokesman for the authority said: “To balance the budget, because of the potential effects of reductions in Government grant and changes to the system for council tax support, requires an increase in council tax of 1.3 per cent or alternatively a third year of a freeze on council tax, offset by the receipt of freeze grant for a further two years.

“A freeze is the Government’s preferred option and it is offering extra grant equivalent to a one per cent increase in council tax to those authorities which freeze council tax in 2013/2014.

“If the authority were to choose that option, because of the continuing reductions in other grants in future years, the increase in council tax for the year after next (2014/2015) would need to be in the order of four per cent, or savings in addition to those of £1 million already planned would need to be identified.”

The authority, which is due to meet on Wednesday, February 13, has said it is not proposing any reductions in frontline emergency services in 2013/2014.

A full copy of the budget report is available at northyorksfire.gov.uk and comments can be emailed to CAO.ServiceInformation@ northyorksfire.gov.uk.