Council Tax Consultation

   FIRE AUTHORITY SEEKS VIEWS ON COUNCIL TAX PROPOSALS

DATE:             24/01/2008

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (NYFRA) is inviting the public to give their views on the level of precept - the Fire and Rescue Authority part of council tax - for 2008/09, through an online questionnaire.

The Authority is projecting a 3.6% increase in expenditure next year. However, the current proposed central government funding is only set to increase by 1%, so the Authority needs to raise extra funds through council tax and by using some of its reserves, to make sure it can continue to provide its range of emergency intervention and prevention services to the communities of North Yorkshire and the City of York.

The Authority will be considering a range of options at its meeting 13th February but is asking for the views of Council Tax payers before it makes a decision.

The questionnaire will be available online on the Authority's website at www.northyorksfire.gov.uk until Monday 4^th February 2008 for the public to give their views on proposed increases.

Ends