Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority meeting topics include a Council Tax Precept increase

A busy Fire & Rescue Authority meeting sees members vote to approve a one-year extension to the current CRMP, an increase in Council Tax precept and formally approve the appointment of a new Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive for Derbyshire.

Members of the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority (FRA) yesterday voted to approve a one-year extension to the Service’s current Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), the 2026-27 Annual Delivery Plan, and the Medium-Term Financial Plan 2026/27 to 2029/30.

In December 2025 FRA members approved a recommendation to seek the views of our communities through public consultation – ‘Our Plan and Budget 2026-2027’ on a proposal to extend Derbyshire’s CRMP, known as Our Plan, a new one-year Annual Delivery Plan and a £5 increase of Council Tax precept.

At the meeting held on Tuesday 24th February, FRA members noted the findings from the consultation and approved all the recommendations.

Speaking following the meeting, Chair of the Fire & Rescue Authority, Councillor Mark Cliff, said: “Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has continued to deliver high-quality services to the communities of Derbyshire and has achieved a great deal under its current CRMP despite continued financial challenges and a year of significant change across both the Fire and Rescue Authority and the Service’s Strategic Leadership Team.

“The Authority’s aim is to ensure financial, operational and leadership stability. Approving a one-year extension to the CRMP will give the Service and the newly formed leadership team the time required to develop the next CRMP, ensuring it meets the needs of our communities facing new and foreseeable risks.

“The £5 Council Tax precept increase will ensure the Service can continue to deliver its services in an ever changing and complex financial environment – this is not a decision taken lightly as both the Service and the Authority appreciate any increase has an impact on families and households dealing with the same cost of living and financial challenges; however the Authority must ensure strike a balance between affordability and the need to deliver its services.”

The average Derbyshire home in Band D will now pay a council tax charge of £98.41.

During the FRA meeting, members were informed of the Brigade Managers’ Appointments Panels’ decision to recommend the appointment of Mr Mick Sharman as the new Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service. Member and unanimously approved the recommendation.

Newly appointed Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Mick Sharman thanked the communities of Derbyshire for getting involved in the Our Plan and Budget 2026–2027 consultation.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the recent public consultation. The insights we receive through the consultation are critical to our planning, ensuring our future plans remain grounded in the realities of the risks faced by our communities across Derbyshire.

“I recognise that any increase in personal costs, including the approved council tax precept rise, can have an impact on households, and I am grateful for the careful consideration that members have given to this decision. The additional funding will support the Service in maintaining the resources required to deliver a safe and effective level of service for our communities.

“As we look ahead, we will now begin planning for the development of our next Community Risk Management Plan for 2027 – 2032. This will involve ongoing assessment of foreseeable risks and continued engagement with our communities, partners and stakeholders. Your support and involvement will once again be vital in helping us shape a CRMP that reflects the evolving needs of our communities, to ensure we can continue to Make Derbyshire Safer Together.”

You can read all of the papers presented to the Fire and Rescue Authority for decision at www.derbys-fire.gov.uk, visiting this page.