Response, Police, Fire, Crime, Commissioner, Fire and Rescue, Service, Budget, Precept, 2021-22

Matthew Ellis PCC

County Councillor Stephen Sweeney
Chairman Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel
Sent via email

1 March 2021

Dear Chairman,

Response from the Police, Fire and Crime Panel to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner regarding the Draft Fire and Rescue Service Budget and Precept 2021/22

Thank you for your response to my proposed budget and fire precept increase for 2021/22, following the Police and Crime Panel on 15th February 2021.

I note the comments that you have made following scrutiny of the budget proposal and that your support for the budget and precept increase is without any recommendations to me to consider matters further. As requested in your letter, my Office will provide updates to the Panel on key areas during the year which includes the impact on Firefighters’ pension costs as more information becomes available as part of the Pensions Remedy work.

I believe that the finances raised from the precept increase, together with savings from current plans, will provide Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service with the necessary resources to deliver an effective and efficient service. The Chief Fire Officer provided me with the reassurances that I needed in making the precept proposal and asking the residents of Staffordshire to pay an inflationary increase of 1.99% to maintain their fire and rescue service.

I thank you for your consideration.

Matthew Ellis
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue, Crime