Shropshire fire chiefs slam takeover plans
Shropshire's fire authority say proposals from the region's police and crime commissioner to take it over would lead to an "incredible" level of upheaval.
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion announced in June that he wanted to take over the governance of Shropshire Fire Authority.
He wants a single joint commissioner for West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
He argued that one commissioner for all services would produce savings of £4 million.
But in their official response to the business case put forward by Mr Campion, members of the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority (SWFRA) said yesterday that the savings include approximately £2 million already identified in the FRA efficiency plans.
The report, which is signed by chairman Eric Carter, vice chair Keith Roberts, along with Councillor Nigel Hartin and Councillor Kuldip Sahota, states: "This makes the proposal for two successful organisations to go through the level of upheaval suggested to be even more incredible.
"FRA members from Shropshire feel that questions raised at the onset have not been answered, concerns about the 'brand' being compromised have not been allayed.
"SWFRA have steered Shropshire through a very challenging period. This experience leaves them highly sceptical that the scale of savings suggested can be made without severely compromising the effectiveness for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
"SWFRA do recognise that after 20 years, the time has come to consider a review of the structure and operation but they would want to build on the success of the last 20 years, rather than dispense with it.
"SWFRA welcome Mr Campion's commitment that he will not undertake any changes that might negatively impact on front line operations but, with the best will in the world that can only be a 'gentleman's agreement' with a short term applied to it."
The fire authority also addressed suggestions that Mr Campion is 'empire building'.
The authority said: "Discounting this, there are real concerns about the eventual reduction in firefighting resources in Shropshire."
A consultation into the plan runs until Friday.
Mr Campion said: “This consultation is about listening to views from all sections of our communities right across the West Mercia area. I am grateful for the fire authority’s comments, which will be considered in due course along with all the other responses received.”
