Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone is asking for an increase in the fire precept of £12 a year for a Band D household. The fire precept is the part of the council tax that goes to fund Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The increase is well above the Government’s suggested level of £5 a year. Danielle said the financial challenges facing Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service are so severe, she has asked the Government for flexibility for a larger increase to avoid cuts to essential services.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is one of the lowest funded in the country, with one of the lowest levels of council tax precept.
Most of the Service’s funding – more than 60% – comes from the council tax, there is a contribution from business rates, and less than 20% comes from central government.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has already identified savings of £2.3 million in the past 12 months, which goes some way to meeting the challenge. An increase of £5 would still leave a funding gap of £1.6 million.
Danielle said that an increase of £12 a year for a Band D household will balance the Fire Service budget without the need to make cuts in firefighter numbers or frontline services.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said a significant increase in the precept will align Northamptonshire more closely with other fire authorities and is the only way to avoid deeper cuts.
Danielle said: “I would prefer not to have to ask the public to pay more but Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service simply does not receive enough funding. After years of effort to stabilise the financial position, the financial challenges are so significant that I believe I have no choice.
“The Chief Fire Officer is already planning substantial savings but there is still a gap that can only be covered by making cuts in the service people receive or increasing the precept by £12 a year.”
Danielle said that ageing buildings, fleet and equipment are all being replaced, to reduce the costs of on-going maintenance and improve efficiency.
A programme of savings driven by the priorities of the Service’s new strategic plan, the Community Risk Management Plan, is also underway.
Danielle added: “I will hold the Chief Fire Officer to account for making the changes that will ensure Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is efficient and gives value for the money that I am asking local council taxpayers to contribute this year.”
The fire precept is about 4% of the total council tax bill in Northamptonshire.
The council tax precept proposals will be discussed by Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel at a meeting held in public on Wednesday 4 February 2026.
