Fire authority pledges frontline services will be protected - despite 10% grant cut

Frontline fire services will be protected for the next year said Cleveland Fire Authority today - despite a 10.4% cut in its Government grant.

The announcement came after members of the Fire Authority considered a report from Chief Fire Officer Ian Hayton and agreed a budget for 2015/16.

Since 2010/11, the Government grant paid to Cleveland Fire Authority has been cut by £7.4m - a reduction of 33%.

The chairman of Cleveland Fire Authority, Councillor Brian Briggs, said: “Despite the Government funding cut we remain committed to providing the best possible fire and rescue services to the people of Teesside and have approved a 2015/16 budget which protects frontline services.

Cllr Brian Briggs

“This has been achieved by reviewing how we provide services and a 1.9% increase in council tax, which increases our income by about £200,000.

"For the majority of households this increase is less than two pence per week.”

Chief Fire Officer Ian Hayton said: “To manage the Government grant cuts imposed over the last five years we have reviewed all areas of our operations and changed the way we provide services, whilst ensuring we remain focused on maintaining the highest possible standards and public safety.”