A FIRE brigade union claims plans for a two per cent precept tax rise will not raise enough money to cover problems in the service.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority is asking locals to comment on its plans for the coming financial year.
But Ian Watkins, brigade secretary of the Fire Brigade Union in North Yorkshire, said the two per cent was not enough.
He said: "We have real concerns over the current crewing of fire appliances in the brigade, concerns over supervisory managers and the many outstanding health and safety issues.
"These cost money and the two per cent rise will not cover them."
The fire service in North Yorkshire has an estimated budget for the 2010-11 financial year of nearly £31.5m.
If a two per cent precept rise on the council tax is not agreed the brigade has stressed that it will not cut any front-line services.
A questionnaire for comments can be posted out by calling 01609-780150 or by visiting the service’s website at www.northyorksfire.gov.uk.
Comments must be in by January 29, and the fire authority will discuss them at its meeting on February 10.
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