Shropshire fire authority 'disappointed' at crime commissioner's takeover plans
Shropshire's fire authority has hit back over the police commissioner's calls that joint governance would save money, saying they rely on "discredited and unreliable claims".
Following John Campion's re-election as West Mercia's Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) on Monday, the chairman of Shropshire & Wrekin Fire Authority said he was "disappointed" to learn that Mr Campion plans to pursue a takeover of the region's fire services.
Eric Carter added that the authority believes separate governance is the best way to deliver an effective fire and rescue service.
He said that the fire service and police force already work closely together in emergencies, sharing premises and vehicles at a cost to the fire service.
Mr Carter added: "What is disappointing is that Mr Campion seems intent on reheating his ideas of a forced takeover of our fire services, still relying on discredited and unreliable claims of huge savings without listening to common sense and the will of our communities in Shropshire.
“As far as we can see the only way of making savings of £4 million a year is by stripping out vital support functions from the fire services and giving them to the police.
“Many will recall the original business plan outlined saving money by merging control rooms when the lessons from recent years tell us that this core, lifesaving function needs investment not reduction."
Shropshire & Wrekin Fire Authority said it hopes government plans will give more power to a police scrutiny panel later this year to review Mr Campion's proposals.
Mr Carter said: “The fire authority is aware that the government is planning to publish a white paper before the summer that sets out plans for reform of the PCC role and function.
“We are hoping these proposals include strengthening the role of the police and crime panel; giving it more power to scrutinise and properly hold the PCCs to account.
“We also anticipate the white paper will explore the potential for a nationwide transfer of the governance of fire and rescue services from boards of locally elected councillors to PCCs and elected mayors.
“With this in mind, the fire authority feels it would only be appropriate to make a further statement once the paper is publicly available and its contents have been carefully considered.
“As an authority, we still believe fire and rescue services are best governed by diverse groups of people, who are closely linked to and reflect their communities.
“The people of Shropshire can rest assured that at all times we will do what we can to put their safety first and make Shropshire safer.”
