Archived decisions
COUNCIL MEETING, 19 FEBRUARY, 2009
REPORT OF THE
HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY
HFRA BUDGET 2009/10
1. The Fire Authority at its meeting on 11th February 2009 approved a budget of £66.659m for 2009/10 which is a 3.2% increase on the previous year, and enables continuing improvement to current service levels. This budget will require a council tax increase of 3.6% and brings the council tax to £60.30 at Band D.
2. Union, business and community representatives were consulted on the proposals and the cost and service pressures identified during the budget process were explained to them. They considered the service to represent good value for money at this cost, and the containment of any council tax increase within that of state pensions was particularly welcomed. Indeed, business representatives in particular took the view that with economic circumstances likely to get more difficult in future years, a higher increase would have been justified.
3. The budget set also took account of two particular concerns. First, the volatility of capital receipt projections in the current economic climate, leading to a prudent view on what should be allowed for in constructing the capital programme at this stage; and second, the need for substantial additional investment in the Authority's building assets, for which additional provision has been made.
4. Other features of the financial policy include the use of specific reserves to enable improvement and sustainability programmes and to allow for possible equal pay costs, and the retention of a general reserve sufficient to protect against strategic risks. The prospects for years two and three of the medium term plan will require the Authority to continue its tight financial management, though the Audit Commission's latest assessment of the Use of Resources indicates that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority is well positioned to meet the coming challenges.
M.F. CARTWRIGHT
Chairman
4IR550209