Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has been handed a £1.5m savings target as part of the council's wider effort to close a £35.9m budget gap for 2027/28, councillors heard at a meeting of the Strategic and Corporate Select Committee on 15 July.

Cabinet Member Cllr Justine Thomas gave assurances that no firefighter jobs would be cut and no fire stations would close as a result of the target, telling the committee that the service would be "protected".

However, several councillors expressed concern about the financial position of the service more broadly. Committee members noted that on a per capita basis, Norfolk's fire service receives less funding than urban fire services — and that a significant number of the county's fire stations are in need of upgrading.

In response, committee members proposed sending a letter to the Government calling for fairer funding for rural fire services like Norfolk's. That proposal received support during the discussion.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony White was present at the meeting. No further details were given about where within the fire service the £1.5m savings would be found, with the budget process described as still in its early stages.

Cabinet is expected to consider detailed savings proposals in October 2026, ahead of a public consultation. The council aims to set its final 2027/28 budget early in the new year.