Council Tax Increase Proposed by Cambridgeshire Fire Service

Key Points

• Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service proposes a precept increase of £4.95 per year for Band D households, raising the total annual contribution to £92.16.
• The increase aims to fund improvements in operational response times and address ongoing budget pressures.
• Service faces challenges from a growing population, rising incident numbers, and the end of collaboration with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service on Combined Fire Control.
• In 2025, the service responded to 8,600 incidents, including 2,133 fires (up from 1,721 in 2024), 430 road traffic collisions, 160 animal rescues, and over 90 flooding incidents.
• Matthew Warren, Chief Fire Officer, notes the service is among the lowest cost nationally with the fewest firefighters per head of population in a fast-growing county.
• Councillor Chris Morris, Chair of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority, endorses the rise to sustain efficiency as infrastructure expands.

Cambridgeshire (Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service Bulletin) January 15, 2026 – Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has proposed a modest increase in its share of council tax to bolster operational capabilities amid escalating budget pressures and a surge in incidents. The plan would add £4.95 annually to Band D households, lifting the total precept to £92.16 per year. This measure seeks to enhance response times and offset funding shortfalls following the termination of a key collaboration with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.

Why Is the Council Tax Increase Necessary?

The proposed hike addresses multiple fiscal and operational strains on the service. As reported in the official service announcement, budget pressures have intensified due to a rapidly expanding population in Cambridgeshire, one of the fastest-growing counties in the UK. Matthew Warren, Chief Fire Officer for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, stated: “It is always a difficult decision to ask residents to contribute more council tax. It’s not something that we take lightly.” He further elaborated: “However, we have some significant challenges in terms of budget pressures and increased risks with a growing population that we need to ensure we manage.”

The service’s incident response has risen sharply, aligning with demographic growth. In 2025 alone, firefighters handled 8,600 incidents, a notable uptick driven by population pressures. This includes 2,133 fires— a 24% increase from 1,721 in 2024—alongside approximately 430 road traffic collisions, 160 animal rescues, and more than 90 flooding incidents. Mr Warren emphasised: “The number of incidents we attend is increasing in line with the growth rate of the county.”

A critical factor is the loss of joint funding after Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service ended its collaboration on Combined Fire Control. This partnership’s dissolution has left Cambridgeshire bearing sole costs for control operations, exacerbating financial strain.

How Does Cambridgeshire Fire Compare Nationally?

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service positions itself as a lean operation facing unique demands. Mr Warren noted: “We are currently one of the lowest cost fire and rescue services in the country and we have the lowest number of firefighters per head of population.” In a county experiencing rapid expansion, this efficiency is now challenged as future needs loom larger. The precept increase is framed as essential to maintain standards without compromising safety.

The service’s cost-effectiveness stems from meticulous management, as affirmed by oversight leaders. This low baseline underscores the reluctance to seek rises, yet justifies the targeted £4.95 adjustment for Band D properties—scaling proportionally across bands.

What Do Authority Leaders Say?

Councillor Chris Morris, Chair of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority, voiced strong support for the proposal. He stated: “As a Fire Authority we see the hard work and meticulous detail that goes on behind the scenes to ensure the fire service is managed as efficiently and effectively as possible.” Councillor Morris added: “A small increase in council tax will ensure this can continue to be achieved as our county and infrastructures grows.”

His endorsement highlights the authority’s oversight role in balancing fiscal prudence with service delivery. No dissenting voices from authority members appear in the initial coverage, though public consultation on the precept forms part of the approval process ahead of the 2026/27 fiscal year.

What Incident Trends Drive This Proposal?

Delving deeper into 2025 statistics reveals the operational burden. Fires jumped from 1,721 in 2024 to 2,133, reflecting heightened risks in a burgeoning population. Road traffic collisions at around 430 incidents demand swift, resource-intensive responses, while 160 animal rescues and over 90 flooding calls strain capacity further. These figures, drawn from service logs, illustrate why enhancements to response infrastructure are paramount.

Flooding incidents, in particular, have surged amid climate variability, taxing equipment and personnel. The total of 8,600 calls marks a sustained upward trajectory, compelling investment in vehicles, training, and staffing.

What Are the Financial Implications for Residents?

For Band D households—the benchmark for council tax precepts—the annual cost rises from £87.21 to £92.16, an increment of just over 5%. Lower bands face smaller absolutes, maintaining progressivity. This equates to roughly 9p per week, positioned as minimal against the service’s value.

Residents in Cambridgeshire, encompassing urban Peterborough and rural expanses, will note this alongside other council levies. The fire precept constitutes a fraction of total council tax bills, dominated by district and county elements. No exemptions or rebates are specified in the proposal, though standard council tax support schemes apply.

How Will Funds Enhance Operations?

Proceeds target frontline improvements: faster response vehicles, advanced equipment, and bolstered crews. Amid Suffolk’s exit from Combined Fire Control—a shared dispatch system—the service must independently upgrade telephony and IT systems. Population growth amplifies demands on stations across Cambridge, Huntingdon, and beyond.

Mr Warren’s vision emphasises sustainability: “In a county that is one of the fastest growing, this is now beginning to cause us some challenges as we look to the future.” Investments aim to arrest per-capita firefighter shortages, ensuring resilience.

What Is the Approval Process?

The proposal advances to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority for ratification, typically following public precept consultations. Residents can submit views via official channels before a final vote sets the 2026/27 budget. Historical precedents show such modest rises often pass, given the service’s strong efficiency record.

Councillor Morris’s comments signal authority consensus on necessity. If approved, billing commences April 2026, integrated into standard council tax demands.

Broader Context: Fire Services Under Pressure

Cambridgeshire’s plight mirrors national trends, where fire authorities grapple with austerity legacies and post-pandemic recoveries. Ended collaborations like Suffolk’s highlight regionalisation risks. Yet, the service’s low-cost status—verified internally—bolsters its case.

As chief officer Warren conveys reluctance tempered by duty, the narrative underscores public service ethos. No alternative funding streams, such as central grants, offset the gap, leaving local precept as the viable lever.

This comprehensive coverage aggregates all statements from the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service announcement, ensuring fidelity to original reporting. Public reaction awaits consultation outcomes.