CSRO7 Fire Service Finances 2008/9 to 2009/10

Prospects for CSRO7 Annual increase in grant funding: between nil (= real terms cut) and 2.7% (= real terms standstill?) Pay/inflation Chancellors pay guideline linked to inflation target (2%) Inflation currently 2.6% (CPI) to 3.6% (RP) Council Tax 5% pa but probably falling with inflation?

Balancing the equation for CSRO7 Linked assumptions: Spending levels grant Pay increases efficiency strategy council tax cap ‘Good’ settlement/low inflation/5% council tax = efficiencies used to recycle & fund improvements ‘Poor’ settlement/high inflation/higher council tax cap = efficiencies used to meet base budget

Successes Modernisation of pay/workforce strategy New risk assessment process Expansion of CFS Central role in Community regeneration Partnership working Wider role in non-fire incidents New Dimensions; Civil Contingencies IPDS Efficiency gains & savings Collaboration – natural/regional/local Performance improvements Social – economic benefits

Future Direction Completion of the modernisation process LGA (+ DCLG/CFOA) Vision Community Safety Maintaining Training Capacity Capital infrastructure Local implications of New Dimensions Demands of resilience & New Dimensions limits the scope to transfer resources into prevention Regional initiatives Research into the causes of fire Fire Suppression systems Demographic changes Climate change

Risks to achievement

Strategy for CSRO7 Protect the base level Incentives to increase capacity Respond to the changing local agenda Efficiency plans Realistic approach to inflation/grant/capping New sources of funding