In advance of the meeting of the Fire Authority on 6 February 2025, when it will make its final decisions on its budget and Council Tax for 2025/26, you are invited to comment on the budget proposals. A link is provided below to the draft budget papers (item 88) that will be considered by the Fire Authority's Policy and Resources Panel on 16 January 2025. While these may change before the final budget is set, in the light of further information on government funding, business rates and council tax, they clearly set out the Authority’s proposed budget strategy for next year.
The last year has been a challenging one for our communities and along with local partners ESFRS have been working hard to maintain their core services. They have also been implementing their Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2020-25 to ensure they continue to deliver high performing protection, prevention and response services. You can find out more about the IRMP here:
Community Risk Management Planning ¦ East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (esfrs.org)
The one-year funding settlement that the Government has offered results in a 1.8% increase in core spending power (CSP) for this authority. Budget setting has been a challenge again this year with continued pressures in costs. ESFRS proposals include new savings of £0.618m in 2025/26, with a number of one-off savings and flexibilities totalling £2.358m used to achieve a balanced budget along with a drawdown from the general reserve.
The Government announced that the level of increase in Council Tax that can be made without the need for a local referendum in 2024/25 will be £5 for standalone fire & rescue authorities. ESFRS had lobbied hard both locally and nationally for a £5 increase to ensure we could maintain our vital emergency services.
All this makes planning for the future challenging. ESFRS have modelled a range of possible scenarios for the next five years which show that they need to make additional savings of between £2.8m and £4.5m by 2026/27.
ESFRS continue to identify further efficiencies across their services and are exploring potential new sources of income. They continue to work closely with their public sector partners to collaborate where it makes sense to do so.
ESFRS are also continuing to invest in their services, in addition to the changes set out in the IRMP and their existing plans to ensure our fleet, IT and fire stations are fit for purpose. In 2025/26 this will include refurbishments of wholetime stations at Bohemia Rd, Eastbourne and Roedean, development of a new engineering workshop in Newhaven, investment into their Multi Purpose Training Hubs & Live Fire Training at Service Training Centre and delivery of three new appliances. Investment plans for 2026/27 onwards will need to be reviewed to ensure they remain affordable.
ESFRS will also be:
• Implementing their responsibilities under the new Building and Fire Safety Bills including the Building Safety Regulator regime for which they are lead authority for the South East and enhancing our protection services through one-off Government grant and investment from their own resources.
• Continuing to develop their support for local businesses for example through the Primary Authority Scheme.
• Using social media and other new technology to support their prevention work whilst continuing to deliver safe and well visits to the most vulnerable in our communities.
During the year ESFRS will also be developing proposals for their new Community Risk Management Plan which they expect to consult both the public, partners and other stakeholders on in 2026 and continuing to implement their Future Foundations programme improving efficiency and reducing costs through new ways of working.
Please send any comments on the budget proposals to duncan.savage@esfrs.org by 24 January 2025 in order that they can be reflected in the final budget report for consideration on 6 February 2025.