Fire chiefs slam shake-up plans

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion announced in June his plan to take over the governance of Shropshire Fire Authority.

He wants to have a single joint commissioner for West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

He argued that having all services under one organisation 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 his 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, said: "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 concerns that Mr Campion is 'empire building' or should 'stick to the job in hand' with running the police. The authority said: "Discounting this, there are real concerns about the eventual reduction in firefighting resources in Shropshire."

A consultation in to the plan runs until Friday.

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John 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.”