Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) is consulting Royal Berkshire residents and staff on Council Tax funding for the next financial year until 9am on Monday, 2 February 2026.
RBFA is committed to delivering value for money across the services provided to local residents. However, due to significant budgetary pressure as outlined in this letter, to protect our services to the public, RBFA is proposing a £5 increase for 2026/2027, based on a Band D precept, to £91.31.
This year the Government has announced a three-year settlement of central funding, instead of a one-year settlement. To align to this and help us plan our finances effectively over the longer term, RBFA is also consulting on an increase of £5 per annum in Council Tax, based on a Band D precept, for the next three years.
Where your money is spent
- Response. We will ensure that our people are trained and resources are located to provide the most effective response and to have a positive impact on incidents in our communities.
- Prevention. We work to reduce risk to our communities through our partnership duties and prevention education activities, ensuring that our services are accessible to all.
- Protection. We support those with responsibility for premises to understand their duties in ensuring the safety of all people using buildings covered by the Building Safety Act 2022 and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, whilst ensuring that our services are accessible to all.
- Resilience. We will ensure our resilience and work with our partners to promote and build resilience in the communities we serve.
- Sustainability. We are committed to ensuring that we provide a financially sustainable Service and take meaningful action to help address the climate emergency.
- People. We will support our staff by providing a safe and inclusive environment for them to thrive in, building a diverse organisation that is engaged with, and accessible to, our communities.
Specific information about council tax and where it was spent in 2025/26 can be found in our explanation leaflet.
Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, Councillor Brooks, said:
“Royal Berkshire Fire Authority is committed to providing excellent services to the public as efficiently as possible and making sure that we are spending our money in the right way to keep the people of Berkshire safe.
“Given the significant cost pressures that the Authority faces, we are focused on improving the efficiency of our Service and are committed to delivering over £940,000 in savings in 2026/27.
“We shall use the savings made to invest in the vital services that we provide to the public, while also delivering a balanced budget.
“However, reductions in funding from Central Government, combined with an increase in demand for our services, means that raising the Band D precept for 2026/27 is essential. I am recommending that we raise the Band D precept by £5 per annum to £91.31 to maintain current service levels to the public.
“Likewise, the same increase per annum for the following two years would align to the Government’s three-year settlement and partly offset the reduction in central funding over this period.”
RBFRS is encouraging anyone that lives, works or travels in Royal Berkshire to have their say in the survey, which is available until 9am on Monday, 2 February 2026.
Further information can be found in the Corporate Plan and Integrated Risk Management Plan 2023-2027 and in a letter from Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.
Any questions, or comments can be emailed to precepting@rbfrs.co.uk.