extraordinary meeting, Leicestershire County Council deplores the action of the Liberal Democrat Group which has resulted in a waste of taxpayers’ money.” Fire Service Cuts and Consultation

extraordinary meeting, Leicestershire County Council deplores the action of the Liberal Democrat Group which has resulted in a waste of taxpayers’ money.” Fire Service Cuts and Consultation

The chair of Leicestershire County Council is also the Chair of the Fire Authority
and the cabinet which is expected to answer a consultation from the Fire Authority
One Liberal Democrat Councillor suggest this might be a conflict of interest.
He also said he had hope for proper debate on the subject rather than personal abuse.

Leicestershire and Rutland Fire and Rescue are proposing some drastic cuts to services
30 engines will being reduced to 19

Another councillor has suggested the £11m fire service headquarters is sold
and the dozen staff are relocated to empty offices at various fire stations or
at county hall.


Video:

http://council.webcast.vualto.com/leicestershire-county-council/home/?EventId=12357

• 1. To receive declarations by members of interests in respect of items on this agenda.
• 
  
• 2. Combined Fire Authority Consultation.
• 
  

  “That in light of the recent announcement of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Combined Fire Authority (CFA) to consult on significant reductions to Leicestershire’s Fire and Rescue Service, we believe the Council should respond to the CFA’s consultation and the Council’s response should be agreed at an extraordinary meeting of the Council.”

  
  

  (A requisition for an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council for the purpose of considering this motion was put forward by five members of the Council, namely: Mr. Galton, Dr. Hill, Mr. Bray, Mr.Charlesworth and Mr. Wyatt.)

  
  

  The consultation paper is available via

  http://www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/images/pdfs/IRMP_Print_FINAL.pdf

  
  

  
  
• 
  
• The following amended motion was agreed:-

  
  

  “1.      That this Council notes:-

  
  

  a)       that the proposals now put forward are part of a package of measures which go part way to address the significant shortfall in the CFA budget and would still leave the CFA having to find additional savings of £1.3million by 2020 to achieve a balanced budget;

  
  

  b)       that the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has only recently launched its consultation proposals and the following public engagement events have been scheduled to explain its proposals and to hear views:-

  
  

  • Friday 2 October 7.45pm Central Fire Station
  • Saturday 3 October 10.00am Coalville Fire Station
  • Saturday 3 October 2.00pm Loughborough Fire Station
  • Tuesday 6 October 7.45pm Billesdon Fire Station
  • Thursday 8 October 7.45pm Hinckley Fire Station
  • Friday 9 October 7.45pm Market Harborough Fire Station
  • Tuesday 13 October 7.45pm Lutterworth Fire Station
  • Thursday 15 October 7.45pm Kibworth Fire Station
  • Friday 16 October 7.45pm Melton Mowbray Fire Station
  • Friday 16 October 7.45pm Wigston Fire Station;

  
  

  c)       that arrangements have been made for the Chief Fire Officer to brief all members of the County Council on the proposals at a meeting on Monday 2nd November;

  
  

  d)       that the consultation period runs until Friday 4th December, 2015.

  
  

  2.       Accordingly, this Council:-

  
  

  a)       is of the view that the consultation proposals should be considered by the Scrutiny Commission in the first instance with a view to the Commission submitting its comments to the Cabinet meeting on 18th November so that a properly considered response can be debated at the County Council on 2nd December;

  
  

  b)       believes that the calling of an extraordinary meeting of the County Council was unnecessary and deplores the action of the Liberal Democrat Group which has resulted in a waste of taxpayers’ money.”