HANDS OFF THE FIRE SERVICE SAY DEVON'S LIB DEMS

Government plans which could put the county's fire and rescue service under the direct control of the Police and Crime Commissioner must be challenged, say Devon's Liberal Democrats.

New proposals from the Government would allow politically elected Police and Crime Commissioners to take over fire authorities or place their own representative on the existing fire authority.

The county's Liberal Democrats are calling on Devon County Council to oppose the planned changes, citing the partnership Devon Fire and Rescue Service already has with neighbouring Somerset and the joint fire authority for the two counties.

Devon Lib Dem leader, Cllr Alan Connett, said:" We fear this is another back door attempt to strip fire services of any local accountability or control. The jury is already out on whether Police and Crime Commissioners have had any beneficial results, why would you hand them the fire service as well.

"Currently, the fire authority for Devon and Somerset is made up of representatives appointed by the two county councils along with Plymouth City Council and Torbay Borough Council.

"It gives local accountability and ensures decisions are made openly and for the whole community," added Cllr Connett.

He and fellow Lib Dems are calling on Devon County Council to respond to the Government's consultation and resist the transfer of control for the fire service to a single elected commissioner.

"It will only add yet more confusion if the Government forces through this change, said Cllr Connett. Across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire we have different police and crime commissioners with different boundaries for the fire services."

The Lib Dem motion to protect the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service will be debated by Devon County Council at its meeting on 1 October.

News from Devon Liberal Democrats
Contact: Cllr Alan Connett
T: 0784 301 3705