Police chief hits out at fire merger plan

John Campion said he believed the aspirations by Shropshire, and Hereford and Worcester fire services to work more closely together were “not far reaching enough”.

He was also critical at the lack of plans to work closer with West Mercia Police.

Both fire authorities are taking legal action after Mr Campion’s plans to take them over was approved by former Home Secretary Amber Rudd in March.

Mr Campion said: “I am pleased to recognise the progress that has been made on collaboration since I first raised it 18 months ago when there was little or no prospect of greater co-operation between yourselves, as well as with the police.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to comment on the draft ‘Alliance Plan’ and I hope you find my feedback useful as you continue to refine the plan further prior to the transfer of governance.”

He continued: “I had expected more explicit reference to partnership collaboration beyond the two fire services within the priorities and key deliverables.

“Whilst I am on record as stating that my first priority will be to create a fire/fire alliance, I am also on record as stating that I will also drive greater collaboration with the police and other partners.

“This is a stark omission in my view and indeed ‘police’ are only mentioned five times in the whole 17-page document.

“Whilst I appreciate that the plan sets out how the two fire services will come together as an alliance, I think it is necessary to formally recognise the need to further develop collaborative opportunities.”

Mr Campion also requested that he be more involved in the governance of the alliance, which has three levels.

Priorities

He is listed in the top tier – the Strategic Alliance Board – only if his takeover move is completed.

Mr Campion added: “As it stands, the proposed governance arrangements include PCC representation at Strategic Alliance Board level only.

“I would suggest that PCC representation at the Programme Delivery Boards should be included as this is where strategic priorities will be identified and business cases analysed and approved.”

Members of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s Strategy and Resources Committee will be asked to approved the creation of the alliance on Thursday.

They approved investigations into how the services could work together in March in the wake of major cuts in government funding.

The plan, which extends to 2022, had been due to go before the full Shropshire Fire Authority in June but was postponed to allow more time to develop the proposals.

Both services already work closely with each other, including joint working of its control rooms, and with West Mercia Police, which has led to community support officers being trained as retained firefighters.

A joint foreword by Shropshire’s chief fire officer Rod Hammerton and fire authority chairman Eric Carter, and Hereford and Worcester’s chief fire officer Nathan Travis and fire authority chairman Roger Phillips said: “The purpose of the alliance is to build capacity and resilience in both fire and rescue services in order to achieve long-term sustainability.

“The alliance will do this by delivering a number of key joint priorities over the next three to four years.

“These will provide opportunities to meet ongoing financial challenges at the same time as providing additional value to our local communities through working in partnership.”

By Emily Lloyd, Local Democracy Reporter