West Yorkshire’s Fire Authority will increase its precept by 1.99%.

The brigade faces losing £4.6m in its 2015/16 government grant despite the hike in tax for households of less than 2p per week.

Clr Judith Hughes, Greenhead Labour and Chair of the Fire Authority, said: “This small increase will enable the fire authority to balance the budget in the current year and at the same time provide additional resources for future years.

“Despite this increase we continue to maintain one of the lowest cost-per-head of population fire and rescue services in the country while at the same time investing in modernisation to deliver long term efficiency savings and effective provision of services.”

The indications are that Government funding will reduce with the Fire Authority forecasting a further grant loss of around £10m in the next three years, which will mean further cuts of £13m.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling said: “In 2010 the Authority approved a proactive and innovative approach to developing and modernising the way emergency response is delivered across West Yorkshire. This has enabled the Authority to continue to make efficiency savings, whilst still providing a first class service to the county, which represents value for money.”

The police precept is rising by 1.99%, Kirklees taxpayers faces a 1.95% rise in the council part of the tax bill, while Calderdale residents get a council tax freeze.