Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen, has launched a council tax consultation for 2026-27.
The consultation is asking for residents to support an increase of £4.95 per year for a Band D Property – the equivalent of a penny per day, launching today (Monday 22 December) and will be open to the public until Friday 23rd January at 5pm.
Commissioner David Allen said: “As Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, I prepare the annual budget 2026-27. Part of this budget includes setting the council tax precept for fire and rescue services – paid for by you, the residents of Cumbria. Therefore, it is only right and fair that I ask you what you are willing to pay for.
“Having served the public for 40 years, both as a police officer and in our NHS, I stood as your Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner on a simple principle. Cumbria deserves strong public services that protect our communities and keep us safe, and we should never do public safety on the cheap.
“When I came into office, I inherited ageing fire stations and an outdated fleet that had seen limited investment for many years. My priority has been to put Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service on a stable financial footing and ensure that our firefighters have the equipment and resources they need to protect you when it matters most.
“Already we have begun to turn things around. We have invested in new appliances and modern technology and are heavily investing in our fire stations across the county, with over £2m being invested in the current year. These are significant investments into assets that give firefighters the capability to tackle serious and complex incidents such as the notable rise in wildfire and flooding incidents, which have been particularly prevalent this year, and major incidents such as the recent train derailment in Shap.
“There is still more to do, but we are moving in the right direction.
“Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service continues to deliver a high standard of service across the county. This includes emergency response to fires, road traffic collisions and rescues, as well as vital prevention and protection work.
“Firefighters and our community safety advocates support our most vulnerable residents through providing over 8,000 home fire safety visits a year and they educate young people in schools and colleges to help keep them safe from harm. Our fire protection officers undertake over 750 fire safety audits a year of business and commercial premises.
“The service will always be there when an emergency happens, but they need your support to continue providing the best possible prevention, protection and response capabilities.
“For 2026/27, I am proposing an increase of £4.95 per year for a Band D property.
This is equivalent to 41 pence per month or just over a penny a day.
“This increase will help ensure that Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service remain able to respond quickly, invest in new technologies and equipment, and maintain safe and effective staffing levels. It also supports a balanced budget so we can continue improving the service after years of underinvestment.
“I want to be clear that the 2026-27 budget for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service will be a challenging one. The increase on council tax will be used to maintain the current service and allow our firefighters the ability to continue to deliver a legal and safe service to the public. I will continue to invest and support CFRS as best as possible over the incoming financial year which is why I am proposing this increase of £4.95.
“In my role, I see every day the professionalism and dedication of our firefighters. They work tirelessly to keep the residents and visitors of Cumbria safe. I will not allow their ability to respond to emergencies to be reduced.
“My commitment is clear: I want Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service to be in the strongest possible position to protect our communities today and for generations to come. I hope you will support this essential work and help us ensure that Cumbria Fire and Rescue remains an excellent service you can rely on in your time of need.
“Please take a couple of minutes to complete this consultation – I want to hear your views.”
A consultation has been launched asking for public support for the increase. Residents can complete the survey online or call 01768 217734 or email commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk to obtain a paper copy. The deadline to complete for the survey is Friday 23rd January at 5pm.