Fire service takeover plan: Don’t lose local voice, warns Telford councillor

John Campion wants to have a single joint commissioner for West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and says the plans would save £4 million.

But a paper, going to Telford & Wrekin's Cabinet when it meets next week suggests that members should not support the plans "for reasons of financial considerations and service resilience".

Councillor Gilly Reynolds, chairman of the council’s Customer, Community and Partnership Scrutiny Committee, said: “If governance is transferred to a single political candidate, with a wider geographical remit and with the challenge of governing both West Mercia Police and two fire authorities, the voice of local people may be lost or at best diminished.

“Both Shropshire and Wrekin and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authorities are currently well respected and are not failing, as is the case in other areas where a PCC is taking over the governance of an FRA.

"In fact, Shropshire & Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority is one of the top five performing FRAs in the country.

“For all these reasons, the committee found no merit in the PCC’s proposals, especially within the context of a well performing Fire and Rescue Authority, and welcomes current efforts at collaboration and encourage this to be continued.”

The report, going to cabinet on Septmber 14, was put together by the Customer, Community & Partnership Scrutiny Committee, following a request by Council Leader Shaun Davies.

When the plans were released earlier this year, both Telford & Wrekin Council leader Shaun Davies and Shropshire Council's leader Peter Nutting said they had concerns about the plans put forward by Police Crime Commissioner John Campion, who wants to see West Mercia Police and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service controlled by a joint commissioner.

Mr Campion said: “I am listening to views from our communities right across the West Mercia area as part of this consultation and look forward to receiving the council’s response in due course.”

On Monday, members of Shropshire Council's communities overview committee decided to reject Mr Campion's proposal to become a joint governor of Shropshire, Hereford and Worcester fire services and the police force.

Their recommendation will now go to council leader Peter Nutting to officially sign off.

The news represents a blow to Mr Campion's efforts, with the council being one of the key large consultees on the proposal. The government will have the final say on whether to approve the proposal.

Five of the committee members voted to reject the plans, with two abstaining.

Eric Carter, chairman of Shropshire Fire Authority, says the service had already drawn up plans to save £2 million.

The authority commissioned its own independent report into the plans.

Worcester city councillors have also unanimously rejected the proposals.

Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet members will make their formal decision when they meet next week, but have been recommended not to support the proposals