How Fife Council and emergency services are dealing with soaring fuel costs
The rise in fuel costs as a result of the Middle East conflict is something which Fife Council is keeping “under close review”.
Prices at the pumps have soared across the country but an existing procurement framework is providing some protection for the local authority.
Its executive director for finance and corporate services, Elaine Muir, explained: “The council routinely manages cost fluctuations within its available resources and maintains reserves to help protect against financial shocks.
“We continually monitor inflationary pressures and other cost increases as part of our ongoing financial management. Fuel for council operations is procured through a government framework, which provides a level of protection against day‑to‑day price volatility.
“In the longer term, how we manage any increased costs will depend on how long higher prices persist, and the situation will remain under close review.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked other public services about the impact of the current situation.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said it did have measures in place to help.
“We will continue to monitor the impact of rising fuel costs, but we aren’t expecting this to impact on how we deliver services to the public,” they said.
“As part of our resilience arrangements, our fuel is procured through a national contract.
“We have shifted a number of vehicles to electric as part of our net zero plans and this gives us some protections from the increasing cost of fuel.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: “We are not experiencing any impact at this time, but we will continue to monitor the situation and our firefighters will continue to respond to every emergency.”
Police Scotland was approached for comment however did not respond.