Nottinghamshire and City of Nottingham Fire and Rescue Authority has set a Council Tax increase of 1.95 per cent – an annual rise of £1.39 for those living in a Band D property.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Fire Authority at NFRS headquarters on Friday 27 February 2015.

Councillor Darrell Pulk, Chair of the Fire Authority, said: “This is a difficult position for the Authority to be in – we are having to balance safeguarding an important public service while, at the same time, being conscious of the difficult financial times the residents of the county are living through.

“We’ve made the difficult decision to increase the Council Tax precept – there is a budget deficit facing us and, therefore, we must make plans so we can continue our work in creating safer communities.

“This costs those living a Council Tax Band D property less than three pence per week and that will help us provide a value for money service that prevents fires and other incidents and means firefighters will be there when people need them most.”