Members of the Fire Rescue Authority (FRA) discussed and agreed the 2026/27 budget for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS), including the proposed council tax increase for Bedfordshire.
Members discussed the pressures nationally and locally that the service faces, whilst also being conscious of the rising cost of living that Bedfordshire residents face.
It was acknowledged that all fire services are facing financial pressures, with many experiencing the need to make efficiencies and cuts. The majority of fire services are also having to raise their council tax precept by the maximum allowed, as expected by the Government.
Cllr Richard Wenham (Conservative, Clifton, Henlow and Langford) said: “The decision to increase council tax is always a difficult one and never taken lightly.
“I appreciate the rising cost of living our residents experience, but the fire service is crucial in delivering prevention, protection and response services and protecting the people of Bedfordshire. I’m therefore happy to support the increase.”
The authority unanimously decided to increase the council tax precept by £5 a year, up to £122.72 per year for a Band D equivalent property.
This 4.25% increase will generate additional investment to support delivering services and maintaining the frontline services people rely on. The Band D council tax of £122.72 will equate to 34p per day for the fire service.
Members approved the 2026/27 budget for the fire service, in which BFRS has committed to deliver about £2 million of savings and efficiencies, with further savings required in subsequent years.
Why the increase
Andy Hopkinson, Chief Fire Officer (CFO), said: “This coming year we are under renewed pressure to deliver savings and efficiencies while also ensuring we can keep investing in the service and keep pace with all the growth and change planned in our county.”
This includes the building of Universal Studios, the creation of Tempsford new town and the proposed East/West Rail links.
CFO Hopkinson added, “This budget enables us to continue working together to keep Bedfordshire safe, investing in the core prevention, protection and emergency response services, the bedrock of our reputation with the public. We remain focused on restructuring the service to ensure we are fit for the future.”
Explaining what these future changes will include, CFO Hopkinson continued, “I make no apologies for the difficult decisions we’ve had to make, nor for the future changes and reforms I need to make.
“This budget protects the number of firefighters we have, allocates funding to rebuild Luton Fire Station, invests in five new fire engines and operational equipment and technology that will keep our staff safe, enhance their effectiveness and ensure they can do their very best for our communities.
“We’re also delivering improvements at our training centre to reduce the exposure risk from contaminants associated with firefighting to better protect our firefighters, and investing in additional safety-critical training and leadership development.
“We’re grateful the FRA has approved our latest budget, and I look forward to working together with Members and colleagues to keep Bedfordshire safe,” CFO Hopkinson concluded.
The fire authority members unanimously agreed to support the council tax increase.
