Sports field with goal posts and houses in the distanceee

2024/25 Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services)

On your bill this will appear at the "Mayoral General Precept". The vast majority of this goes to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. The service is funded partly by grants from central Government and partly by council tax paid by the residents of Greater Manchester. The precept has been increased to ensure, given the significant increase in inflationary pressures on both pay and non-pay budgets, there is no adverse impact on frontline fire cover.  In addition to funding the unavoidable impact of inflationary cost pressures, the increase will also allow additional investment in the service including an additional fire engine for GM and further investment in protection and prevention work.  Together with the changes introduced through the 2023 Fire Cover Review (FCR) these changes will increase the number of fire engines across GM from 50 to 52 and allow significant investment in prevention and protection.

Over the course of the year, for the average Band A property, the fire proportion of the precept is £54.14.  To give an idea of how your money is spent, for the period 1st April 2023 to December 2023, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service:

  • Responded to 7,326 fires across Greater Manchester
  • Attended 1,516 road traffic collisions
  • Attended 4,854 incidents that required specialist fire service support
  • Rescued 1,754 people

In addition to funding the fire service, part of this precept also goes to fund the mayor, plus the functions he is responsible for. Over the course of the year, this is £21.16 for the average Band A bill. This mayoral precept funds:

  • Transport Strategy including Local Transport Plan development and monitoring
  • Administration of Bus Service Operators Grant
  • Developing the new plan for jobs and homes for Greater Manchester
  • Mayoral Development Corporations
  • Costs of the Mayor’s office
  • Grants to District Councils

This year whilst the mayoral precept has been frozen it will continue to fund the Mayor’s successful ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme to reduce rough sleepers across Greater Manchester, the implementation of The Bee Network bus reform plan and continuation of the successful ‘Our Pass’ pilot for all 16-18 year olds.

The mayoral precept per council tax band

Precept Bands Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band G
Mayoral General Precept (including fire)

75.30

87.85

100.40

112.95

138.05

163.15

188.25

225.90

Percentage of households in each Band %

44.6%

19.8%

17.7%

9.6%

4.9%

2.1% 1.3% 0.2%


Comparison of Expenditure - breakdown

Year 2023/24 (£000) 2024/25 (£000) Variation (£000)
Gross Expenditure

268,989

278,833

9,844

Income

-18,814

-30,537

-11,723

Cost of Service

250,175

248,296

-1,879

Capital Financing Charges

2,082

3,800

1,718

Net Service Budget

252,257

252,096

-161

Contribution to/from Balances

-9,971

-416

-9,555

Budget Requirement

242,286

251,680

9,394

Localised Business Rates

-10,650

-11,347

-697

Business Rate Baseline

-43,275

-51,281

-8,006

Services Grant

-1,244

-204

1,040

Section 31 Grant – Business Rates

-7,567

-10,017

-2,450

Section 31 Grant – pensions

-5,605

0

5,605

Transport - Statutory Charge

-86,700

-86,700

0

Collection Fund surplus/deficit

-1,590

-943

647

Council Tax Requirement

85,655

91,188

5,533


Mayoral Expenditure Breakdown 2024/25 (non-fire)

Description 2023/24 (£000) 2024/25 (£000)
Mayoral Direct Costs Incl Corporate Support

1,352

1,381

Mayoral Priorities Incl - A Bed Every Night

3,600

3,600

Transport Policy & Strategy

3,500

3,500

BSOG - grants to operators

11,750

11,750

- administration

50

50

‘Our Pass’ Incl Opportunity Cost

16,891

17,229

Sub-Total - Pre additional transport powers

37,143

37,510

Bus Reform

15,895

15,895

Bus Concessionary Reimbursement

50,000

50,000

Supported Bus

32,000

32,000

Accessible Transport/Ring & Ride

3,600

3,600

Allocation of Bus Operational costs

1,100

1,100

Total Including additional transport powers

139,738

140,105