FIRE chiefs in County Durham and Darlington expect to raise its council tax precept again next year to pay for cuts to funding.

At the same time they are also arguing they should be given the same powers as police to boost their bills to the public. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority wants to increase its precept by 2.9 per cent from April next year. This would see a band D property paying about £103 a year in 2019/20, on top of the other aspects of its council tax bill.

However, according to current plans, the authority also hopes to get away with smaller rises from 2020/21. At the same time, in its response to a government consultation on funding, it is also asking to be given the same flexibility as police and crime commissioners, who also raise cash through council tax precepts, when setting their rates.

Tony Hope, the fire authority’s treasurer, said: “We’re asking the government to consider allowing fire and rescue authorities the same flexibility they have given to Police and Crime Commissioners.

“That would allow us to raise council tax by up to £12 and that would help us go a long way to reducing things like the pension deficit.”