Response from the Police, Fire and Crime Panel to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner regarding the Draft Fire and Rescue Service Budget and Precept 2022/23

Councillor R Cox
Vice-Chairman, Chair for the meeting,
Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel
Sent via email - C/O Mandy Pattinson

21 February 2023

Dear Chairman,

REF: Draft Fire & Rescue Service Budget and Precept 2023/24

Thank you for your response to my proposed budget and fire precept increase for 2023/24, following the Police, Fire and Crime Panel on 13th February 2023.

I note the comments that you have made following scrutiny of the budget proposal and that your support for the budget and precept increase is without any recommendations to me to consider matters further.

I believe that the finances raised from the precept increase, together with required transformation savings, will provide Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service with the necessary resources to deliver an effective and efficient service. The Panel have noted that the transformation savings required into the medium term will increase to £1.4m assuming the revised pay offer is accepted by Fire Brigade Union membership.

The Chief Fire Officer provided me with the reassurances that I needed in making the precept proposal and asking the residents of Staffordshire to pay an additional £3.90 per year (Band D Council Tax) to maintain their fire and rescue service, an increase below the current levels of inflation.

Yours sincerely

Ben Adams
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Crime