Mark Nolan

Clerk to the Authority

Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service

Garstang Road

Fulwood

Preston

PR2 3LF

5^th February 2025

Mr Nolan

LANCASHIRE COMBINED FIRE AUTHORITY BUDGET CONSULTATION

Lancashire Fire Brigades Union (FBU) agrees with the paper over funding. Fire Services nationally have been neglected and underfunded over the past 15 years.  Governments have failed to invest in Services and it shows not just in this budget, but in previous budgets.

The FBU have campaigned and lobbied government ministers for extra funding and more investment in Fire Services. 

The New Westminster government have formed a new Ministerial Advisory Group.  The FBU has argued for a new national advisory body to assist in the development such as standards and to advice on the major strategic challenges facing the fire service.  We look forward to helping the government in carrying out elements of their pledges they made prior to the election.

The FBU stated in last years budget response:

“With the cost of living crisis some members of staff are struggling to afford to feed themselves and their families, or have the heating on at home, or even put fuel in their car to come to work”.

Even with a pay increase, staff are still struggling financially as some prices have not fallen such as at petrol stations and supermarkets.

The FBU fully support the investment set out in Table 6 in the Capital Programme.  The FBU will support and work with the service in delivering a service that serves the communities of Lancashire and a better service for its staff.

The FBU has concerns over the borrowing of £43M.  We understand that due to lack of funding by previous governments, the service has no other option.

The FBU would support a £5 increase in Council Tax on Band D properties in Lancashire - not just to cover the pay rise for Grey Book members of staff, but to enable continued investment in the Fire Service (although the FBU feels that this should ultimately be completely funded by Central Government).

We will continue to campaign for a proper and adequate funding investment in the Service wherever and whenever the opportunity arises.

Yours Sincerely

Kev Wilkie                                                                                                                                                        Fire Brigades Union                                                                                                                                Lancashire Brigade Secretary