DEVON and Somerset Fire and Rescue Fire Authority are once again asking local residents and businesses to tell them how they feel about the service that they provide.

This is a part of the fire service’s annual precept survey.

The answers received will influence what amount of the council tax that residents and businesses pay goes towards funding Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

The current council tax charge from the fire and rescue service is £96.79 a year for a Band D household.

The authority anticipates that by 2025/26, a saving of £1.8m will be needed due to changes in government funding and rising costs of delivering its services such as materials, energy and employment costs.

This saving is based on a year-on-year increase of 1.99 per-cent to council tax over this period.

Every one per-cent increase to council tax precept amounts to just over six hundred thousand pounds to the service this year.

Fire Authority Chairman, councillor Simon Coles, said: ‘We know that money is tight for everyone, particularly as we head into the colder months.

‘The service is not immune from cost rises either and therefore we want to ensure that Devon and Somerset Fire Service is making the most of every penny it receives, to keep our communities safe.

‘By filling in a five-minute survey, everyone can make sure their voice is heard.’