Cheshire Fire Authority has launched a consultation on its precept – which is its share of council tax – for the forthcoming 2026-2027 financial year.

As the publicly accountable body responsible for providing a fire and rescue service to the communities of Cheshire, the authority has two main sources of income.

The first is grants from Government, which make up around 33 per cent of its budget, and the second is through local council tax precept, which accounts for the remaining 66 per cent. The authority's total budget for 2025/2026 was £59.23m.

A legal duty to set a balanced budget means the authority must match its income with its outgoings. These include paying staff wages, purchasing firefighting vehicles and equipment, improving and maintaining its buildings and paying for things like energy and fuel.

The authority continues to face financial as a result of increases in external costs, pay inflation as a result of nationally negotiated pay settlements for firefighters and support staff, and capital funding requirements. Even after identifying savings, the authority could have a funding gap of nearly £200k when it attempts to settle its 2026-2027 budget.

To assist fire and rescue authorities, the Government has confirmed that it will allow them to increase their precept by up to £5 per year for a Band D property and proportionately for other bands. This would enable the authority to meet these challenges and maintain the level of services it provides across Cheshire.

Cheshire Fire Authority is the publicly accountable body responsible for providing a fire and rescue service in Cheshire (Credit: CFRS)

Cllr Stef Nelson, chair of Cheshire Fire Authority, said: "Because of careful financial management over recent years, we have been able to invest in new technology, vehicles and equipment to improve the safety of firefighters and the community. This has helped to make ours one of the most effective and efficient fire and rescue services in the country.

"Changes brought in as part of our Community Risk Management Plan have seen us introduce five additional full-time fire engines across Cheshire; delivering more safe and well visits to the most vulnerable and providing more inspections of non-residential premises. This is more prevention; more protection and a better response for our community. These have made Cheshire one of the safest parts of the country from a fire and rescue perspective.

"While I understand this is a difficult ask we are making of local taxpayers, this modest increase of £5 per year on a Band D property would help us to meet our funding challenges and maintain the level of service we provide, giving the community the excellent fire and rescue service it deserves."

Cheshire Fire Authority will consider its budget and agree its council tax precept for 2026-2027 at its meeting on February 11. Before deciding what to do, the authority is keen to understand what people think.

Residents are encouraged to take a few moments to share their views on the proposed increase by completing a short online survey here, open until January 26.