Date: 2nd July, 2026
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority has thanked residents, firefighters, staff, representative bodies, local politicians and campaigners whose support has made it possible to keep eight fire stations open. However, they cautioned that we must keep the momentum going.
At its meeting on 30 June, the Authority agreed a recommendation to keep the fire stations at Bradford on Avon, Cranborne, Charmouth, Hamworthy, Maiden Newton, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton open and endorse the Service’s Modernisation Programme, subject to the funding conditions required to secure the Service’s long-term future.
Members recognised that significant progress has been made since February. This includes Government support for an application that would allow Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority to increase its council tax precept up to the national average for fire and rescue services.
This progress would not have been possible without the residents, firefighters, staff, representative bodies and local politicians who got involved. The 6,188 survey responses, various petitions and more all helped to galvanise our MPs and bring national attention to the Service’s challenges. The pressure of public opinion opened the door for the Service to engage with Government in ways not possible before.
The consultation results showed loud and clear that residents of Dorset and Wiltshire greatly value their Fire and Rescue Service and are willing to pay a little more to support it. Members recognise that the public value their Fire and Rescue Service and have indicated their support for increasing the Authority’s council tax precept. On a band D property, this would take the annual cost from £96.95 currently to £105.72, equating to about 17p per week.
Chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr Clare Weight, said: “I want to thank everyone who got involved in the consultation and everyone who helped make the case for our Service. The consultation demonstrated just how much people value their local fire and rescue service. It gave us evidence, credibility and a powerful mandate when making our case to Government.”
The Authority recognises that some people will be disappointed that Members did not agree to defer a decision on the future of the stations until next year if the necessary funding is not confirmed. However, a majority of Members were persuaded that deferring the decision would weaken the Authority’s position with Government at the very point it is seeking support for a sustainable funding solution.
Cllr Weight added: “Members were united in their desire to keep all eight stations open. We need Government to give us the tools to make that possible. The recommendation agreed by the Authority sends a clear message that we are prepared to modernise, that we manage public money responsibly and take difficult decisions where necessary.
“The clarity of the recommendation puts us on the best possible footing to secure council tax precept flexibility from Government and deliver a sustainable future for the Service.”
The Authority also agreed to continue pressing Government to recognise the financial challenges facing Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and formally asked officers and local MPs to continue making the case for a fair and sustainable funding settlement.
Vice Chair of the Fire Authority, Cllr Paul Oatway, said: “The level of engagement during the consultation was unprecedented and helped put Dorset and Wiltshire’s case firmly on the agenda. The opportunity now available to us is a significant achievement and it would not have been possible without that collective effort. However, we must continue to press Government to deliver the funding conditions required.”
The updated approved amendment text is:
The Authority:
1) Agree that all 8 fire stations, namely, Bradford on Avon, Cranborne, Charmouth, Hamworthy, Maiden Newton, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton fire stations remain open;
2) Agree to the implementation of the Service’s Modernisation Programme TO BE MONITORED & SCRUTINISED BY THE FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEE
SUBJECT TO;
- a) The Authority being granted flexibility to raise council tax precept to at least the national average for fire services for 2027-28,
- b) The subsequent approval of the council tax precept rise by the Authority at its meeting in February 2027; and
- c) There are no other and further significant reductions in funding
3) Should all of these conditions, in a), b) and c) above not be met, confirmation of which will be clear in budget setting papers presented to the Authority in February 2027, the Authority agree that all eight fire stations, namely, Bradford on Avon, Cranborne, Charmouth, Hamworthy, Maiden Newton, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton will be closed.
4) Ask the CFO, Strategic Leadership Team and MPs in the Fire Authority area to continue to lobby and pressure the fire minister and MHCLG to recognise our financial problems and take the necessary steps to remedy.