Police chief in bid to run Shropshire fire service too
Police and fire services in Shropshire could be controlled by a joint commissioner under radical plans unveiled today.
John Campion, who currently runs West Mercia Police, says he wants to be in charge of the fire service too.
He says the plans have the potential to improve “effectiveness and efficiency” in the two bodies by changing the way they operate.
The Police and Crime Commissioner currently oversees policing in West Mercia in co-operation with chief constable Anthony Bangham.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is overseen by Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority and controlled on a day-to-day basis by chief fire officer Rod Hammerton.
A public consultation is now set to be held on the proposed changes.
The news brought an immediate reaction from Telford & Wrekin Council leader Shaun Davies, who tweeted:
Mr Campion said: “Limited collaboration with each other and the police force has gone on up to now, but this must be strengthened, deepened and accelerated if all our services are to deliver the best results they are capable of.
“I want to build on the good foundations set by our fire and rescue authorities to deliver modern, innovative fire and rescue services that lead the way nationally, whether that is in terms or emergency responses, back-office support functions or value to the taxpayer.
“However well these areas are performing now, it is only through proper and meaningful integration with each other that we can fully unlock the potential benefits.”
Currently fire and rescue services are overseen by authorities made up of councillors from across the region.
The government has said it wants to see a more joined-up approach in the way police and fire services work together.
On January 25 2016, the government announced it would bring forward legislation to enable police and crime commissioners to take over fire and rescue services.
It means PCCs could potentially create a single employer for both police and fire personnel if they are able to demonstrate a clear business case for doing so.
The public consultation, jointly produced by the Home Office, Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department of Health in September 2015, sought views on a range of proposals to enable greater collaboration between the emergency services.
More than 300 responses were received from national, local and regional organisations, police forces, PCCs, fire and rescue authorities, local councils, ambulance trusts, frontline practitioners, associations and other interested groups and individuals.
