Information
Have your say on funding for Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Resue Service
Residents across Northamptonshire are being invited to have their say on proposals for next year’s police and fire precepts, the part of council tax that helps fund local policing and fire and rescue services. Danielle Stone, Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, is consulting on proposed increases designed to help protect frontline services and support both organisations in meeting growing demand across the county.
The proposals include an increase of £15 per year for an average Band D household towards policing and £5 per year towards fire and rescue services. The Commissioner says the additional funding would help maintain current officer and firefighter numbers, support neighbourhood policing, respond to increasing demand and help both services manage significant financial pressures.
Both Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service face funding challenges as the county continues to grow. The Commissioner has also called on Government to review current funding arrangements, arguing that they do not adequately reflect Northamptonshire’s population growth and service demands.
The consultation will help inform the Commissioner’s final proposals before they are considered by the Police, Fire and Crime Panel in February. Residents are encouraged to share their views before the consultation closes at 9am on Tuesday 12 January 2027.
Take part in the consultation here: https://www.research.net/r/MZBSBCL
Precept Consultation 2027/28 – FAQs
- What is the council tax precept?
The council tax precept is the portion of council tax that contributes towards funding local policing and fire and rescue services. The police and fire precepts are set annually by Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone and together account for around 18% of a household’s council tax bill.
- Why is a consultation taking place?
The Commissioner wants to understand residents’ views before making decisions about policing and fire and rescue funding for 2027/28. Feedback from the consultation will help inform the final precept proposals that are presented to the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel (in February).
- What increases are being proposed?
The consultation seeks views on:
- A proposed increase of £15 per year (29p per week) for policing for a Band D property.
- A proposed increase of £5 per year (10p per week) for fire and rescue services for a Band D property.
- Why is the Commissioner proposing a policing precept increase?
The proposed increase would:
- Maintain current police officer numbers.
- Support strengthened neighbourhood policing.
- Enable continued improvements to the way the Force responds to and investigates crime.
- Help address growing demand on policing services
The Commissioner has said Northamptonshire’s police funding does not adequately reflect the county’s growing population and demand on services.
- Why is the Commissioner proposing a fire precept increase?
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service faces significant financial pressures and is one of the lowest-funded fire and rescue services in the country. The Service is also dealing with increasing demand and emerging risks, including flooding and wildfires (with one of the busiest summers on record this year).
The proposed increase would help the Service balance its budget and maintain operational services.
- Why does Northamptonshire Police need additional funding?
According to the Commissioner, government grants make up 56% of the Force’s budget but are based on population figures from 2012. Since then, Northamptonshire’s population has grown by 17%, meaning demand on policing services has increased significantly.
The Commissioner has written to Government requesting an urgent review of the police funding formula.
- Why does Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service need additional funding?
The Service is facing rising costs, inflationary pressures, population growth and increasing demand from incidents such as flooding and wildfires. Despite these challenges, it remains one of the lowest-funded fire and rescue services in England.
- What would the proposed increases pay for?
Policing
The proposed increase would help:
- Maintain current police officer numbers.
- Strengthen neighbourhood policing.
- Support ongoing improvements to crime response and investigations.
Fire and Rescue Service
The proposed increase would help:
- Support frontline fire and rescue services.
- Help manage rising operational costs.
- Help maintain services in the face of increasing demand and risk.
- What happens if the increases are not approved?
Without additional income through the precept, both services would face increased pressure when balancing their budgets.
For policing, this could affect the Force’s ability to maintain officer numbers and continue planned service improvements.
For fire and rescue services, significant savings would still need to be made even if the proposed increase is approved, and these savings could impact frontline services.
- Has the Commissioner asked Government for more funding?
Yes. The Commissioner has written to Government requesting:
- An urgent review of the police funding formula.
- Better financial support for Northamptonshire Police.
- Flexibility to seek a larger increase for fire and rescue services to help maintain current operational services.
- Who can take part in the consultation?
Anyone who lives in and has an interest in policing and fire and rescue services in Northamptonshire is encouraged to complete the survey and share their views.
- When does the consultation close?
The consultation closes at 9am on Tuesday 12 January 2027.
- What happens after the consultation closes?
The feedback will be reviewed by the Commissioner and used to inform the final precept proposals. These proposals will then be considered by the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel in February before a final decision is made.
- How can I take part?
Residents can complete the online consultation survey and share their views on the proposed policing and fire precepts before the deadline. The survey link can be found on consultation materials and OPFCC/NFRS/NP communication channels.
