A SENIOR Worcester Conservative has demanded the party’s Police and Crime Commissioner listen to the local councils who oppose his plans to run the county’s fire service.
Coun Marc Bayliss spoke out after Worcestershire County Council became the latest council to oppose John Campion’s propoals to axe both the Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority and its sister group in Shropshire.
He claims the move to bring their functions under his remit will save £4million a year.
However the move has created a storm of criticism from councillors and fire chiefs especiallly in Shropshire who claim they have already identified £2million of savings in the next financial year.
Should the move be approved by the Home Secretary in 2020, local communities would have the chance to elect a local police, fire and crime commissioner.
But Coun Bayliss said Mr Campion should listen to Worcestershire County Council, Herefordshire County Council, Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council and a number of district councils in the county who have thrown out the plans.
The leader of Worcester’s Conservatives and Deputy Leader of Worcester City Council pointed to questions about the assumed savings in the business case that accompanied the proposal and the impact on local democracy.
“John Campion rightly consulted authorities affected by these proposed changes and they have given him a clear reply they do not believe it’s in the best interest of local residents to move forward in this way,” he said.
“I hope the Commissioner will respect those responses and will now abandon these proposals.
“This is not a party political issue with local councillors of all parties, including fellow Conservatives like John and I, stating this is not the best way to proceed.
“I fear recent press statements from the PCC citing the responses of less than 0.5 per cent of the public indicate he is considering pressing on with these proposals.
“That would be a mistake and would lead people to question whether the consultation was of any value and whether the Commissioner understands the strength of feeling out there in the communities.”
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