Mayor’s West Midlands Fire Service bid hit by new blow
The West Midlands Mayor’s plan to take over the region’s fire service could be scuppered after fire chiefs rejected the scheme.
Andy Street wants the Mayor’s office to take over West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) from 2020, arguing the move could improve the service and offer better value for money.
The scheme went out for consultation last year and has since been the subject of a Parliamentary order setting out the proposed transfer of powers.
But it now appears the plan is in jeopardy after the region’s Chief Fire Officer Phil Loach withdrew his support for it.
In a letter to staff, Mr Loach wrote: “I would like to update you on the latest developments regarding the laying of the Parliamentary ‘order’ leading to our transfer of governance to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
“Changes made to the ‘order’, provided to us yesterday, has meant that I have made the decision to write to all chief executives of our seven local authorities and engaged with the chair of the Fire Authority advising them that I can no longer support the laying of the order in this new format.”
He added: “Any changes to our governance need to be in the best interests of our communities we serve whilst also enabling us to be effective in realising our vision.
“I am of the belief that the changes significantly compromise the original intent of the order and as such it is weaker than the previous draft.
“Consequently, I am no longer able to support the order as it currently stands.
“We will continue to collaborate with WMCA and other agencies to reduce vulnerability and risk within our communities whilst we discuss the best way to moving this forward.”
Under the current system WMFS is run by the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, which is made-up of 27 councillors from seven different councils.
The new system would see the Mayor assume all responsibilities, including for appointing the Chief Fire Officer (CFO), setting a community safety plan and budgeting and setting of the council tax precept for the fire service.
The move is opposed by the Fire Brigades Union, which branded it a “power grab” by the Mayor that would fail to provide credible oversight of the fire service.
