Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s Management Committee met on Tuesday, 10 February, to consider Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s 2026/27 Budget and Band D Council Tax precept.
The proposed budget, which included a £5 increase for 2026/2027, based on a Band D household, has now been recommended for agreement by the Fire Authority.
Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, said:
“I am happy to recommend this thorough and progressive budget for agreement by the Fire Authority, in full confidence that it will enable the dedicated work of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS).
“RBFRS is committed to providing excellent services as efficiently as possible and this budget will ensure the Service can continue to work tirelessly to keep the people of Berkshire safe.
“As well as a comprehensive investment programme in the Service’s dedicated staff, estate, training and equipment, over £1.5 million in savings and income generation have been delivered over a two-year period. This reflects that RBFRS remains a good Service, in safe hands with prudent financial management, with a with a further significant programme of savings next year, amounting to £1,041,000.
“We are also investing in the Service’s dedicated staff, estate, training and equipment. For example, as well as investing in new fire engines and ICT equipment, we have:
- included features to extend the life of many of our buildings and fleet.
- introduced ‘green’ technologies where we can reduce energy costs and our carbon footprint.
- improved the equality of our facilities to support, attract and retain a more diverse team and better enable our staff to manage the contaminants they may encounter during emergency incidents.
“However, all public services are facing an incredibly challenging financial picture, and this includes Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. To make all this possible, we have proposed an increase in the Council Tax precept, of £5 more a year (based on a Band D household), which will be used to maintain the essential services that the communities we serve expect of us.
“We have consulted widely with our Royal Berkshire communities and stakeholders with over 270 responses and 78% of respondents being in support of RBFA raising council tax by £5 (for a band D household). Similarly, 79% of respondents indicated support for an increase of £5 per annum in Council Tax for the next three years.
“In 2025/2026 Royal Berkshire Fire Authority was among the lowest 25% of precepting (council tax collection) fire authorities in the country.
“Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service remains a low cost but high-quality Service. This value for money for residents was evident as RBFRS was rated good by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in its latest inspection, with a good rating in eight of the 11 categories.”
The budget will now be considered at the meeting of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority on Monday, 23 February, which will be available on RBFRS’ YouTube channel.