AN above inflation increase has been approved for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority share of the council tax from April.

The £5 per year, of 5.75% increase for the 'avarage' band D property will give the fire and rescue service a budget of  £76.4 million for 2025-26.

This results in an annual fire precept for Band D of £91.95 for the Fire and Rescue Service for the financial year starting on 1 April 2025.

Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole said : "Balancing the budget for 2025-26 has been challenging. Despite a strong track record of finding savings and demonstrating high levels of value for money, future funding remains a concern for the Service. Even with the £5 precept flexibility offered to all Fire & Rescue Services, we will need to keep working on our Resourcing and Saving Programme (RSP) to make sure we continue serving the communities of Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Dorset, Swindon, and Wiltshire in the best way possible."

Cllr Paul Oatway, Chair of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority added: "Members agreed that taking the opportunity to increase the council tax precept by £5 was the only viable option in the face of the ongoing financial uncertainty.

"We know that any increase is difficult for our residents, but our council tax level remains below the national average, and we strongly believe that our fire and rescue service provide excellent value for money.