Eight fire stations to remain open after closure threats
Fire stations across Wiltshire and Dorset will remain open for now subject to precept increases being approved
Last updated 30th Jun 2026
On-call fire stations across Dorset and Wiltshire are set to remain opening, subject to a precept rise next year.
The decision was finalised at a hearing at Salisbury City Hall.
Stations across Dorset and Wiltshire were at risk, with eight on-call stations in total initially planned to make way to address funding concerns.
The risk of closures prompted a public consultation from February to May that received responses from over 6,000 individuals.
A £1.8 million grant has been keeping them open for now. The grant follows a business case presented to Downing Street focusing on improved training accessibility, decision making, and use of data and technology.
DWFRS plans to apply for a rise of £8.77 next year, bringing the precept - the amount we pay through council tax- in line with the national average, equating to a change from about £1.86 to just over £2 weekly for Dorset and Wiltshire residents.
What did the authority agree to?
Two amendments were made to the recommendations of Chief Fire Officer, Andy Cole, while one was rejected.
Significantly, the authority opposed a change that would require a further hearing should the precept increase not be achieved.
However, motions to ensure the modernisation programme is monitored by the Finance and Audit Committee and that Government lobbying is continued by the CFO, Senior Leaders and MP's so the Fire Minister recognises the financial problems and takes steps to address it.
The Authority to:
1) Agree that all 8 fire stations, namely, Bradford on Avon, Cranborne, Charmouth, Hamworthy, Maiden Newton, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton fire stations remain open;
2) Agree to the implementation of the Service’s Modernisation Programme to be monitored & scrutinised by the Finance and Audit Comittee.
SUBJECT TO;
a) The Authority being granted flexibility to raise council tax precept to at least the national average for fire services for 2027-28,
b) The subsequent approval of the council tax precept rise by the Authority at its meeting in February 2027; and
c) There are no other and further significant reductions in funding
3) Should all of these conditions, in a), b) and c) above not be met, confirmation of which will be clear in budget setting papers presented to the Authority in February 2027, the Authority agree that all eight fire stations, namely, Bradford on Avon, Cranborne, Charmouth, Hamworthy, Maiden Newton, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton will be closed.
4) Ask the CFO, Strategic Leadership Team and MPs in the Fire Auth area to continue to lobby and pressure the fire minister and MHCLG to recognise our financial problems and take the necessary steps to remedy.