Lib Dems climbdown.
HOWLERMONKEY Thu Nov 29, 2007 at 11:49:01 AM GMT 
Facebook
As you probably know there has been a campaign in support of the Fire Brigade Union in Cornwall in the face of fire service cuts by the Lib Dem controlled county council, backed by the five Lib Dem Cornish Mps. Recently Councillor Ken Yeo, Executive member with responsibility for the Fire Brigade, attended a meeting last week with the Fire Minister, Parmjit Dhanda to plead for more money for the Cornish Fire Brigade. He did this knowing that the Executive had agreed to spend more money on a newsletter than it would take to maintain the current fire cover at Falmouth and Camborne.
He and the Cornish LibDem County leader and 4 of the countys Lib dem MP’s groveled for more dosh. Thay said Cornwall should get extra support because of its geography, demographics and the tourist industry. On local news Jula Goldsworthy MP was seen stamping her little foot, and saying that the meeting was "Very frustrating". The Fire Service is not the only area under threat, re-organisation following the move to Unitary Authority status is expected to bring huge job losses in Cornwall to add to those already gone or going at Imris.
He and the Cornish LibDem County leader and 4 of the countys Lib dem MP’s groveled for more dosh. Thay said Cornwall should get extra support because of its geography, demographics and the tourist industry. On local news Jula Goldsworthy MP was seen stamping her little foot, and saying that the meeting was "Very frustrating". The Fire Service is not the only area under threat, re-organisation following the move to Unitary Authority status is expected to bring huge job losses in Cornwall to add to those already gone or going at Imris.
But this morning my Snarfer found this press release. I am given to wonder if this decision was made on the return trip to Cornwall on the train. This is indeed a huge climbdown by the Liberal-Democrats on Cornwall County Council, and a victory for people power in the face of utter incompetence of the Lib Dems here in Cornwall. Although the last paragraph seem somewhat ominous with regard to fire service issue being revisited in the future.
Update 6/12/07...Only Comborne is to have 24 hour cover. Falmouth remanes undermaned. This is verypoor as the Falmouth station serves a population of around 50,000.....The fight goes on!
The CCC press release reads as follows
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01HRS ON 29 NOVEMBER 2007
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS TO FIRE SERVICE
The Executive Members of Cornwall County Council recommend that Cornwall’s Fire Service should be improved.
The Leader of the Council David Whalley and Executive Member for Public Protection Ken Yeo will recommend their proposals to the full council in January.
David Whalley, Leader of the Council said: "When we met with the fire minister last week he made it clear that the Government would not give any more help to Cornwall. We were disappointed and depressed because we know how stretched all our budgets are. We came back to Cornwall determined to do something.
"We have listened to the concerns of the public and firefighters about proposed changes in the fire service, and looked at the research. Based on this information the Executive Members have looked again at the fire service.
"We cannot make decisions without the agreement of the Council but will recommend that Camborne remains a 24 hour full time firefighter station. The evidence shows the valuable work of our retained firefighters. But more money needs to be invested into the retained fire service to ensure we can recruit and retain effectively. We will therefore provide over £300,000 to improve the retained fire service. This will mean a more effective service right across Cornwall.
"The detailed risk assessment for the whole of Cornwall is due next year. If the assessment shows further changes are needed to protect people in Cornwall we will strive to find funding. One of our priorities is always to ensure the safety of the public"
The recommendation to be made to the Council means an increase in the budget for the Fire Brigade in Cornwall. It will also mean that more firefighters will be recruited.
A full risk management assessment is currently being completed. This requires analysing data using the latest software systems.
Councillor Ken Yeo, Executive Member for Public Protection added: "The concerns raised in correspondence and from the petitions presented to us, together with detailed information on all fire stations in Cornwall demonstrates that people across Cornwall value their fire service and want to see it improved. Maintaining a 24 hour full time crewed station at Camborne will give assurance to the community of Hayle.
"However until a full risk assessment has been completed it is impossible to anticipate where all fire service resources should be distributed. The Executive will be recommending an increase in funds for the fire brigade. We should redistribute these resources in order to continue the preventative work, including home fire safety checks which help to reduce the risk to life"
The recommendations from The Executive will be put to Full Council in January 2008.
(ends)
Lib Dems climbdown. | 3 comments (3 topical)
Lib Dems climbdown. | 3 comments (3 topical)
