FIRE AUTHORITY CUTS - LIB DEMS & INDEPENDENT URGE COUNCIL TO REJECT PROPOSALS

10.44.03am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Sep 2007

Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader Councillor Steve Darling and Brixham Independent Councillor Mike Morey are tabling a joint motion to the next Full Council Meeting on the issue of the Fire Authority Cuts.

The motion says:

Torbay Council notes:

that the newly formed Devon and Somerset Fire Authority proposes to make financial cuts to stem a £1 million shortfall;

the cuts proposed will mean the loss of 32 frontline jobs. This will mean that the hydraulic platforms or Brontos will no longer have dedicated operators;

that a review of aerial equipment in 2006 recommended that such equipment be fully staffed;

the petition that is being drawn up by fire-fighters;

that members of the public understood that the merger between the Devon and Somerset fire authorities would lead to less bureaucracy and not a cut in services;

the public and media outcry there has been to the Fire Authority's proposals in Devon;

the poor consultation with the public on this issue;

This Council also notes:

comments made by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) that cuts to the Fire Authority in Cornwall compromised efforts to stem a recent blaze at a hotel in Newquay;

Torbay Council therefore:

Urges their representatives on the Fire Authority (Councillors Kerslake and Lewis) to reject the Fire Authority's proposals.

Councillor Steve Darling said: "On an issue as vitally important as this, it is only right that Councillors represent the public's views on this matter. Quite clearly the public are against these cuts and the Council should stand shoulder to shoulder with them."

Independent Councillor Mike Morey has called the public consultation carried out by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue in Torbay "a fiasco" and that the proposed cuts were purely finance led and not service led.

"The management have admitted that only eight people attended an invitation only meeting at the Riviera Centre to discuss the cuts and are satisfied that no further consultation is required. This is absolutely ridiculous and shows a total disregard for the views of the public and fire crews."

"The terrible fire that occurred in Newquay recently, shows the importance of an immediate response with a hydraulic platform, especially in areas like Torbay. The proposed cuts could delay such a response, leading to horrific consequences" he added.