Maximum rise in fire service bills

A COUNCIL tax rise to protect Tyne and Wear's fire service has been signed off, despite an 11th hour financial reprieve from the Government.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is projecting a funding gap of £2.9 million by 2030

The portion of council tax bills in Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside, and South Tyneside that goes to the county's fire service will increase by 4.99% from April.

Councillors voted on Thursday morning to agree to the uplift, which is in line with the maximum permitted rise of £5 for a band D property.

Members of the Tyne and Wear fire authority were told at a meeting in Washington that a revised funding settlement from the Government would give the service £1 million more for 2026/27 than had been expected, after complaints that original proposals disadvantaged the North East.