Decision details

It was moved by Councillor Byrom, seconded by Councillor Mahon:

“This authority supports the Metropolitan Fire Authorities Joint response to the Government’s Resource Review.

It notes that 62% of cuts in the English Fire Service, outside London, have fallen on the six Metropolitan brigades alone.

The number of frontline staff has been reduced by 458, nearly 6% of the establishment.

The six Chief Fire Officers have given a professional opinion that the scale of cuts now planned will severely affect frontline services and may result in the number of fire-fighters being “massively reduced, some by compulsory redundancy”.  Fire appliance numbers will be cut and fire stations closed.

It is their professional view that the scale of cuts envisaged would “leave the main regional cities of this country with radically low levels of fire and rescue cover and significantly less ability to manage or assist at a major incident involving terrorism or flooding”.

The Metropolitan Brigades, including Merseyside, have had the biggest revenue support grant cut.  Of the total RSG reductions planned between 2005/06 and 2012/13 of £75.9m - £62m has been in the Mets - 82% of all cuts.

In order to protect the life and property of the community of Sefton, the scale of these damaging cuts must be reversed and the strong message from the six Metropolitan Fire Chiefs given credence.

This authority resolves to write to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Fire and Rescue Service, all of Sefton’s MP’s and the Prime Minister voicing our strong support for the joint Metropolitan Fire Services campaign.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Jones, seconded by Councillor McIvor that the Motion be amended as follows:

“That the Motion be deferred for further consideration at the next Council meeting on 1 March 2012, by which time the outcome of the visit by representatives of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to Government Ministers would be known, together with the details of their precept for 2012/13.”

Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was carried unanimously.

On a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried unanimously and it was

RESOLVED:

That the Motion be deferred for further consideration at the next Council meeting on 1 March 2012 by which time the outcome of the visit by representatives of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to Government Ministers would be known, together with the details of their precept for 2012/13.