FIRE chiefs have agreed its lowest ever precept increase – at 2.9%.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority decided on a budget rise for 2009/10 – meaning residents will have to pay an average of 3p a week extra.
Last year authority spending went up 3.9%. It compares with a 3.1% rise in the Consumer Price Index in the year to December.
Chairman Clr Philip Booth said the authority was trying to help people through the recession.
He said: “In these difficult economic times all local authorities need to balance the need for investment with their responsibility to ordinary families who are struggling with the household budget.
“Our first duty is to protect the public so there will be no cuts in frontline firefighting, but we have scrutinised every other aspect of spending to make sure there’s no excess fat.”
The authority hopes to save £500,000 through energy efficiency and tighter purchasing. Some £257,000 extra has been earmarked for extra training and equipment.
