Norfolk County Fire Service faces savage cuts as a result of the County Council being starved of cash in the Blair government’s 2006/07 local government settlement.
Four out of six, two-appliance rural fire stations face losing one appliance each with the loss of 36 firefighter posts, which is a devastating blow to a largely rural county.
A Norfolk Fire Brigades Union (FBU) statement said yesterday: ‘The government settlement announced early December, gives Norfolk County Council an increase of only 3.8 per cent, which falls short of the necessary five per cent increase just to cover inflation and other costs.
‘All Department Chief Officers are required to submit a Budget to be debated by the whole County Council on 22nd February 2006, based on a council tax rise of four per cent.
‘Tim Byles the Chief Executive of Norfolk County Council recognises the gap of £20 million that needs to be covered and accepts that some ‘painful decisions’ need to be made.
‘Norfolk Fire Service in line with other Departments is required to submit budget options based on three per cent, four per cent and five per cent council tax increase.
‘Norfolk FBU has been briefed on the potential cuts that could result from a budget that does not meet expected expenditure.’
The FBU says a five per cent increase in council tax would result in little impact on the overall level of service supplied, with no frontline reduction in fire cover.
Cuts based on a currently proposed four per cent increase in council tax include a £160,000 cut in training expenditure, cuts in building maintenance, and a recruitment freeze.
But the FBU fears the council will go for a three per cent council tax increase which would see additional cuts in front line fire appliances from four of the following six stations: Sandringham, Fakenham, Dereham, Wymondham, Diss and Cromer with the loss of at least 36 Retained Firefighter Posts.
Norfolk FBU says its fears have been confirmed by the Chief Fire Officer.
Brigade Secretary Neil day told News Line yesterday: ‘As part of the Budget options and in order to achieve required savings the Norfolk Chief Fire Officer has highlighted a reduction in the number of fire engines at some of these locations which would result in the loss of approximately 36 jobs.’
Day said the cuts would be devastating: ‘Norfolk is a large, predominately rural county, with the exception of the city of Norwich and a few large towns.
‘It depends upon retained (part time) fire-fighters. Of the 40 stations in Norfolk, 38 have retained crews, with 35 of them being retained cover only.
‘Six of these have two fire engines. The retained establishment is 512.
‘The FBU has grave concerns over the loss of these posts and the reduction in fire cover.
‘One area that is overlooked is the ability to provide adequate resources across the county during busy periods or during large incidents.
‘The second appliances on these retained stations are a very valuable resource, as well as providing a two pump initial attack in the area they serve, they also provide for standby moves and relief crews.
‘At times they become the lifeline for the fire service in terms of maintaining fire cover in areas which would otherwise be stripped during large incidents elsewhere.
‘In most cases these two pump retained stations also have additional specialised appliances which the crew numbers required for two pumps enable equipment such as Control Units, Operational support and Water Carriers to be provided.
‘The FBU fears that this ability could also be compromised, therefore further affecting operations across the entire county.’
Faced with such cuts, Norfolk FBU has organised the first of several public meetings/consultations throughout Norfolk to be held at: Sandringham Fire Station, Dodds Hill, Dersingham, Sandringham next Tuesday 10th January 2006 at 18:30.
Sandringham Fire Station is one of the stations under threat despite such major risks as Sandringham House and Bircham Training Centre as well as offering frequent support to the crews of King’s Lynn.
