Devolution unlocks funding flexibility and local solutions for fire and police services

Devolution has given local leaders in York and North Yorkshire new tools, and new responsibilities, when it comes to funding and decision-making for emergency services. In Episode 7 of the For Every Response podcast, I spoke with Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Police, Fire and Crime, about how devolved powers are helping tackle long-standing funding gaps in the fire service, strengthen local accountability and create space for more proactive, place-based solutions.

One of the biggest challenges Jo and Mayor David Skaith faced on taking office was a £21m shortfall in fire funding. Years of frozen precepts had left the service financially stretched and unable to respond effectively.

“You can’t change your geography,” Jo told us. “We still have to be able to put out fires everywhere in our region, and we are one of the largest geographical regions in the country. The economies of scale just aren’t there. We’d already taken out everything we could in efficiencies.”

Local decision-making unlocked

For years, the region had identified the need for greater fire funding, but had no way to act. Devolution changed that.

“Increasing the fire precept by £24, that’s 50p a week, was a significant percentage rise,” Jo explained. “But it was necessary to make the fire service financially sustainable. We had to give the public a safe, stable service.”

That increase was subject to full scrutiny, including public consultation and oversight from the Police, Fire and Crime Panel. Jo is clear this is a catch-up measure, not a sign of regular hikes to come.

“There’s certainly no plan to do that again. But you never know what might come – a summer of wildfires, for example – and having local control means we can respond based on what’s actually happening in our communities.”

A flexible tool for local priorities

While this year’s focus was fire funding, Jo believes mayoral precepts offer broader potential.

“In Greater Manchester, the mayor has used it to tackle homelessness. In our case, it was about stabilising the fire service. But you can take a view on your own region – what’s urgent, what matters – and act on it.”

Jo is also keen to highlight that devolution doesn’t mean less oversight. “Everything we do is scrutinised. We attend the Police, Fire and Crime Panel, and we hold public meetings online to make sure people can stay involved and informed.”

Prevention, collaboration and the road ahead

For Jo, the power to act locally also means greater responsibility to think long term – especially when it comes to prevention and cross-agency work.

“My challenge to everyone would be: what can you do around prevention and early intervention? And how can you work collaboratively to make that happen?”

York and North Yorkshire’s journey offers a glimpse into what locally driven emergency services could look like: accountable, responsive, and focused on the specific needs of place. The shift isn’t without its challenges, but the ability to act decisively, and publicly, is a clear step forward.