WIREDGOV

LGA response to the Policing and Crime Bill, which requires emergency services to collaborate and makes provision for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to manage fire and rescue services in their areas

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Chair of the Local Government Association's Fire Services Management Committee, which represents 48 fire and rescue authorities in England and Wales, said:

"Fire and rescue authorities have been collaborating with other emergency services for a long time and further progress is being made with ongoing partnership work. On governance, councillors already do a superb job in running fire and rescue authorities. The LGA believes it should stay that way.

"PCCs should only run fire and rescue services where there is a robust business case setting out the advantages of doing so, which is supported by all sides and has the support of local communities.

"PCC take-overs could involve a lengthy bureaucratic process - for example, through the need to alter governing boundaries - which do not deliver worthwhile improvements over what can be achieved through collaboration."