AN INCREASE in council tax for fire and rescue services has been approved for this coming year.

This decision was made by members of the Avon Fire Authority during a meeting on Friday, February 5, and comes within a week of an increase to the policing part of council tax, proposed by Avon and Somerset PCC Sue Mountstevens.

For an average Band D property householders will be asked to pay £67.93 a year, an increase of £1.33, on the 2015/16 year.

Chairman of Avon Fire Authority, Councillor Peter Abraham said: “As an authority we always give extremely careful thought before making an increase in our precept.

“Despite this increase Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s precept remains among the lowest in the country, costing the average household around £1.31 a week.”