The proportion of council tax paid to Devon and Somerset fire service could go up next year.

The proposals for a 3% rise have been put forward by councillors who make up the resources committee.

That increase would mean people living in an average band D property would pay £73.92 a year to the fire service.

The fire service is trying to make savings of more than £2 million over the next few years - and the committee say this 'small rise' in council tax would enable them to protect the front-line service.

They claim the increase will mean they won't have to make significant cuts to fire stations or firefighters to balance the books.

A decision will be made at the Devon and Somerset fire and rescue authority's meeting on Friday.

Devon and Cornwall police are also recommending an increase in council tax.

A report going to the Devon and Cornwall police authority this week suggests the number of job cuts could be reduced if council tax goes up.

The force has to make savings of just under £50 million over the next four years.

The report states that if the portion of council tax going to the force goes up by just under four percent in 2012/13, 636 officers will have to leave by 2016.

If council tax rises by 2.6% and they accept a grant from the government, that number rises to 756.

But the authority says it is on target to have made more than sixteen million pounds worth of savings this financial year.