Cheshire Fire Authority has approved a multi‑million‑pound investment package to modernise fire stations, including the Nantwich one on Beam Street.
Members have signed off a £61.7m budget to run Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2026/27.
It will help pay for the modernisation of fire stations like Nantwich as well as upgrade frontline firefighting equipment and adopt new technology.
It means the Service’s council tax precept will rise by the equivalent of £5 a year for a Band D property.
Cllr Stef Nelson, Chair of Cheshire Fire Authority, said: “In spite of rising cost pressures and no real‑terms increase in central government funding, I am pleased we have agreed a balanced budget that not only maintains our excellent fire and rescue provision but also ensures we can continue to make vital investments in our services.
“To balance the budget, we will make around £1.1m in savings, primarily by bringing down utility costs, continuing to reduce staff absence and overtime, and introducing a new structure in our Protection Department.
“A further £448,000 from reserves will fund essential one‑off costs.
“We are grateful to everyone who responded to our public consultation.
“The £5 annual increase in council tax will support our work towards our vision of ‘a Cheshire with no deaths, injuries or damage from fire and other emergencies’.”
Fire authority members agreed a major multi‑year capital investment programme to start from April, which will be funded from the authority’s reserves and around £2m of borrowing.
The capital plan includes:
– the refurbishment of fire stations at Nantwich, Malpas, Poynton and Stockton Heath. This will mean all of Cheshire’s 28 fire stations will have been newly built or completely modernised over the last 10 years.
– the £10.5m redevelopment of Ellesmere Port Fire Station by summer 2027 and Warrington Fire Station by autumn 2027, involving partial demolition and extensive remodelling to provide modern welfare facilities for staff
– £1.6m to replace breathing apparatus in 2027/28 with state‑of‑the‑art lightweight equipment that uses digital technology to help commanders monitor firefighters’ location and vital signs during high‑risk incidents
– improvements to housing at fire stations where firefighters live on site
– improvements at headquarters in Winsford including a new Occupational Health Unit, additional office space, a new on-site stores facility and modernised conference, training and meeting spaces
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