Staffordshire fire chief to face MPs' questions over downgrade of stations
MPs have called Staffordshire's chief fire officer to Westminster to explain plans to downgrade stations still being built in a multi-million pound revamp.
Gavin Williamson, South Staffordshire's MP, has said the plan will turn fire stations into little more than 'glorified community centres' - including some that are still under construction. He called the move a 'grotesque' waste of public money in a strongly worded letter.
Chief fire officer Peter Dartford will travel to Westminster to meet with MPs. But Mr Williamson has said he believes Mr Dartford risks being 'surcharged' - held personally liable' for the 'misuse' of public money.
The proposals are for emergency cover to removed from 18 fire stations and see the number of engines reduced from 42 at 33 stations to 15 engines at 15 stations across the region.
Of the fire stations referred to in the proposals, revamps of Kinver and Codsall have not yet been finished. Brewood's fire station is also under threat.
In a letter to Staffordshire Fire Service Mr Williamson said: "Not only do I think that this would lead to substantial and highly dangerous gaps within the provision of the Staffordshire Fire Service, but I am also shocked at the grotesque waste of money that would be involved if the fire service pursues this route. I think that currently it needs to be pointed out to you that you are in the process of building two brand new fire stations in Kinver and Codsall.
"What you are proposing to do is to turn these brand new fire stations, built at vast expense, into glorified community centres. If this is not a most obscene waste of public money I do not know what is, and I personally believe that you would be at risk of being surcharged for the misuse of public money."
Staffordshire Fire Service's 11 new fire stations cost £29.6m to build but the overall cost of a Private Finance Initiative deal will come to £127m. Kinver's has cost £1.9m to build.
But the fire service is having to cope with a £5 million cut in funding.
Mr Dartford said: "The new delivery model would present a complete change in strategic direction for the service as this would compromise the way we currently focus on community engagement and safety, which is the bedrock to all of the work we undertake. Nevertheless the Fire and Rescue Authority felt it was important for us to explore a range of options, however radical they may be, to be confident no stone has been left unturned as we strive to identify ways to make financial savings.
"The new delivery model option is to have 15 fire stations providing 24/7 cover rather than having the mix of whole-time and retained stations that we have now. Firefighters would focus predominantly on responding to incidents as there would not be the capacity for them to also carry out the community safety work that they currently do.
"Using specialist software the 15 fire stations have been identified to be in the best locations to cover the whole county. Should this option be progressed the stations not included, that have community facilities, would remain open for residents and our partners, however the emergency response would be removed from the building. "
