On Friday 24 February councillors of the Nottinghamshire and City of Nottingham Fire Authority unanimously decided that fire cover and the location of fire engines across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will be maintained at this time.

In September 2022, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service consulted the public on plans to reduce fire engine cover due to a gap of up to £3m in its budget.

In Friday's meeting, Members unanimously approved a £5 increase to the Service's share of the council tax precept for an average Band D property. This is equivalent to 10p a week. The results of the public consultation were noted, but thanks to the Service's improved financial position for 2023-24, the previously proposed fire engine cuts will not go ahead at this stage.

The proposals, based on data from an independent review, included the removal of a fire engine from stations at London Road and Stockhill, removal of the night shift of firefighters from West Bridgford, and reinstating of Ashfield as a wholetime (with 24-hour cover) fire station.

The Chief Fire Officer was instructed by Members to investigate ways to restore Ashfield Fire Station to full time cover.

As well as responding to emergencies, the Service uses its budget to ensure homes, businesses, and places of interest in the county are safe; to educate communities on risks; and to support the other blue light services.

In the year 2021/22, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to 10,096 incidents, checked over 13,000 homes for fire safety and conducted 559 fire safety audits of businesses.

The results of the consultation revealed the views of over 1800 respondents, which included being supportive of paying more in council tax to support the fire service.

Chair of the Fire Authority Councillor Michael Payne said: "This funding will help Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to continue to deliver the fantastic service that it does to all of our communities.

"Our financial position remains very uncertain and without further investment from central government, we may be forced to consider frontline service cuts in future years. Planning for the future is incredibly challenging because our fire service only receives a one-year funding from central government each year.

"The increase in our share of the council tax precept means we can hold off on the proposed immediate reductions to our service."

Chief Fire Officer, Craig Parkin said: "Since the previous report was presented, the 2023/24 financial position has evolved because of budget and council tax precept announcements by Central Government and a revised firefighter pay offer.

"The Service has worked with Members and Fire Brigades Union colleagues to obtain a better financial position for Nottinghamshire. It is good news that we can maintain our current services, but we cannot deny that our financial future is still uncertain.

"Also today, Phase 2 of our Futures 2025 programme has been approved. This will be the vehicle through which the Service will deliver an efficiency and improvement programme, so that we can reach the aims of our Community Risk Management Plan."