WIREDGOV

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Chair of the Local Government Association's Fire Services Management Committee responds to yesterday's report on fire and rescue services by the Public Accounts Committee.

"As this report recognises, councillors on English fire and rescue authorities have done a tremendous job of dealing with a cut in fire budgets of 28 per cent since 2010, while working with firefighters to continue to improve fire safety.

"The fire service needs to be funded to risk, and not just demand. Unexpected events like the recent flooding, which involved 25 fire services, shows how important it is the fire service has the capacity to respond to a range of national and local events. We support the Committee's call for government to improve its understanding of the capacity of the service to make further savings through efficiencies.

"Firefighters already work alongside other emergency services, and a range of other partners. Fire and rescue authorities will continue to explore opportunities for collaboration with partners including other emergency services.

"Changes in the governance model should only happen where there is a robust business case setting out the advantages of doing so, which is supported by all sides and has local support. We hope the Home Office will only support locally driven initiatives rather than impose change from the centre.

"Fire and rescue authorities access a range of support the LGA makes available to its members to strengthen their work, including peer challenges, leadership essential courses and advice to help them make fair, transparent and value for money decisions on pay."

View report: 

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmselect/cmpubacc/582/58202.htm