DON'T MAKE CUTS TO FIRE SERVICES - LIB DEMS

9.53.30am GMT Thu 6th Dec 2007

Councillor Steve Darling, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Torbay Council, has written to the Chief Fire Officer Peter Young to object to the proposed cuts to the Fire Services in Devon.

In his letter Councillor Darling said:

Dear Mr. Young,

I am writing regarding the proposed fire cuts, which would see cuts in frontline services in Ilfracombe, Exmouth, Paignton and Plympton. I would like to put on record the opposition of the Liberal Democrats in Torbay to this proposal.

Whilst I am pleased that all options are being considered and consulted on, I would appreciate your comments on the following:

How have you used the Members of Parliament from Devon to lobby Ministers prior to your own meeting with the Minister?

Local residents were given the impression that when the Devon and Somerset Fire Authorities merged that any efficiencies or losses of jobs would be in the 'back room' or administrative sections and that there would be no front line reductions in service. What efficiencies have been planned and made in those areas, and have other options been considered rather than cuts to frontline services?

Councillor Darling said: "The Fire Authority should have realised when they tried to axe the local Bronto recently that local people rightly value their local fire service and are prepared to campaign to keep them. When the Devon and Somerset Fire Authorities merged, the impression was given that efficiencies would be made in 'backroom' services and that frontline services would be protected. I have written to the Chief Fire Officer to find out from him what efficiencies have been made in their administrative functions, and to find out if they have used local MP's to lobby on their behalf."