Councillors Recommended to Endorse Commissioners Fire and Police Council Tax Precept Increases

Members of the The Police, Fire and Crime Panel made up of councillors from Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council meeting on Friday in Kendal be recommended to endorse proposals to increases to The Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s council tax precepts for Cumbria Police and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.

Cumbria PFCC precept used to fund the commissioner's office and Cumbria Police is proposed to increase by 4.50%. This will see an increase of £13.95 per annum for a band D property and takes the total police element of the precept at band D to £324.00.

The panel will also be asked to endorse the commissioner’s proposal to set the 2025/26 Cumbria Fire and. Rescue Precept at a Band D Council Tax of £98.19. This is an increase of £4.95 (5.31%) on the 2024/25 amount of £93.24.

Commissioner David Allen said: “I know that increasing council tax is never popular, but your safety and security are more important to me. I am seeking your support and asking that we – together, make a really important commitment and contribution that will help to protect Cumbria, and above all, keep us safe.

“The Chief Constable has requested an increase in the council tax precept to maintain and more importantly, further improve our existing services by expanding the police presence and physically basing more officers in rural communities.”

“Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service requested an increase in the council tax precept to maintain and more importantly, further improve their existing services.”

“I realise that many families and businesses are facing financial uncertainty, especially here in Cumbria where we are heavily reliant on the tourism and hospitality sector. However, I do know that we need safe communities in order to have prosperous communities, and strong performing services have never been so much needed.”

Once the commissioner's precepts are set, Westmorland and Furness Councillors will meet in Kendal Town Hall on Thursday the 27th February to set the final amounts that will make up the council tax bill that households will pay from April.