2025/26 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 £57.47.
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 £28.50 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
The increase in the Mayoral precept will also continue to fund the Mayor’s successful ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme to reduce rough sleepers across Greater Manchester, the continuation 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 H |
|
Mayoral General Precept (including fire) |
85.97 |
100.29 |
114.62 |
128.95 |
157.61 |
186.26 |
214.92 |
257.90 |
|
Percentage of households in each Band % |
44.4% |
19.9% |
17.7% |
9.7% |
4.9% |
2.1% |
1.2% |
0.2% |
Mayoral General Budget including GMFRS budget
|
Year |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Variation |
|
(£000) |
(£000) |
(£000) |
|
|
Gross Expenditure |
278,833 |
288,559 |
9,726 |
|
Income |
-30,537 |
-17,580 |
12,957 |
|
Cost of Service |
248,296 |
270,979 |
22,683 |
|
Capital Financing Charges |
3,800 |
2,544 |
-1,256 |
|
Net Service Budget |
252,096 |
273,523 |
21,427 |
|
Contribution to/from Balances |
-416 |
-2,570 |
-2,154 |
|
Budget Requirement |
251,680 |
270,953 |
19,273 |
|
Localised Business Rates |
-11,347 |
-11,347 |
0 |
|
Business Rate Baseline |
-51,281 |
-52,024 |
-743 |
|
Services Grant |
-204 |
0 |
204 |
|
Section 31 Grant – Business Rates |
-10,017 |
-9,211 |
806 |
|
Section 31 Grant – pensions |
0 |
-4,769 |
-4,769 |
|
Transport - Statutory Charge |
-86,700 |
-86,700 |
0 |
|
Collection Fund surplus/deficit |
-943 |
-907 |
36 |
|
Council Tax Requirement |
91,188 |
105,995 |
14,807 |
Mayoral Expenditure Breakdown 2025/26 (non-fire)
|
Description |
2024/25 (£000) |
2025/26 (£000) |
|
Mayoral Direct Costs Incl Corporate Support |
1,381 |
1,416 |
|
Mayoral Priorities Incl - A Bed Every Night |
3,600 |
4,507 |
|
Transport Policy & Strategy |
3,500 |
3,500 |
|
BSOG - grants to operators |
11,750 |
11,750 |
|
Administration |
50 |
50 |
|
‘Our Pass’ Incl Opportunity Cost |
17,229 |
17,229 |
|
Sub-Total - Pre additional transport powers |
37,510 |
38,452 |
|
Bus Reform |
15,895 |
13,500 |
|
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 |
140,105 |
138,652 |