Kent Fire and Rescue Service
Budget Book and Medium Term Financial Plan 2024/25 – 2027/28

 

Ann Millington - Chief Executive

The purpose of the Budget Strategy

The Authority’s budget ensures that resources are aligned with the corporate priorities as set out in the Safety and Wellbeing Plan, whilst also being mindful of the actions that may arise from the Community Risk Management Plan. When determining spending proposals and Council Tax increases, due consideration is taken of all potential cost pressures and savings alongside anticipated funding changes over the medium-term.

Funding changes for 2024/25

The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered the Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023. The Autumn Statement made no specific reference to Fire and Rescue Services and there was very little in the way of new funding announcements for local government in general. It was, however, confirmed that the Chancellor would use new powers (The Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023) to de-couple the Business Rates multipliers, to freeze the Small Business Rates multiplier, and to index the Standard Business Rates multiplier. It was confirmed that local authorities would, again, be fully compensated for the policy decision to freeze the small Business Rates multiplier.

On 5 December, the Government released a Policy Statement confirming some of its key funding intentions ahead of the release of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024/25. The Policy Statement included confirmation of a CPI inflationary increase to the Revenue Support Grant (RSG) and baseline funding levels (BFLs) (Business Rates and Top-up Grant). It was also confirmed that the core Council Tax referendum principle of 3% would apply to Fire and Rescue Authorities. When the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement was published on the 18 December much of what had already been released was restated in the announcement. The Provisional Settlement did, however, also state that the Authority’s Services Grant would be reduced and that a new Funding Guarantee Grant would be provided to the Authority for 2024/25

To ensure that medium-term budget proposals are sustainable, and considering the responses to the Council Tax consultation, it is proposed that Council Tax should be increased by 2.99%, resulting in an annual increase for a Band D property of £2.61 per year, making the Band D Council Tax charge £89.91 for 2024/25. 

Examples of Key Themes in the Budget Strategy