Shropshire Star comment: Service to fight PCC takeover
Having been knocked to the floor, Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority is seeking to rise from the canvas with £70,000 clutched in its hand with which to prolong the fight.
In March, the Home Secretary gave the green light to the controversial bid by John Campion, West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner, to take over the control of Shropshire’s fire service.
Enthusiasm for the move has been distinctly lacking within the fire service, and now it is going from objection and protest to legal challenge.
The £70,000 has been set aside for legal costs in seeking a judicial review of the decision.
In mounting this challenge, the authority is pointing to claims that were made in support of the proposal.
Essentially, the arguments in favour of it were it would lead to efficiencies and cost savings. It is unfortunate timing that while trying to win public support and sympathy, at the same moment the fire authority is putting up to £70,000 aside for this battle which, depending on the outcome, may prove money down the drain.
It has also agreed to raise members’ allowances by 4.04 per cent over two years. Despite widespread opposition from a range of bodies to Mr Campion’s proposals, the public response to the decision to go ahead anyway has not led to rioting on the streets.
Ah, but you will care when everything goes pear-shaped, as they have done with the export of Shropshire’s remand cases to Kidderminster, it will no doubt be said. There is a difference, however. Mr Campion is in elected office and if it becomes clear he has promoted and created a new system of management for the fire and rescue service, which is not working, the voters can show their displeasure at the next election.
What is taking shape is not what a lot of people wanted, and it is hardly surprising Mr Campion presented it as a good thing, given he was the one putting the idea forward in what some will see as empire building on his part.
Of course there is a right to challenge, but this is legal sabre rattling with public money. There does come a point where you need to accept that the die is cast and you have to move on and see how things work out.
