It was moved by Councillor Byrom and seconded by Councillor John Joseph Kelly:
That:
Sefton Council recognises the excellent work undertaken by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and applauds the long term commitment of all its officers and staff.
The Council also notes that the ability to protect the people of Sefton is being jeopardised by the Government funding cuts, which are also undermining staff morale.
The Council is deeply concerned by the findings of the Sir Ken Knight review of Fire and Rescue Service's which makes the case for further huge cuts, mergers with other Authorities or Police and Crime Commissioners and most worryingly privatisation.
This Council notes with serious concern the Government’s alarming proposals to privatise part if not all functions of the Fire and Rescue Services, along with yet further cuts to their grant funding.
This Council is deeply worried that the Government has lost sight of the Fire Service’s main purpose, to protect residents from fire, road traffic collisions and other emergencies.
Recent Government cuts have seen Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service suffer cuts totalling £19.2m over the 4 year spending review with 180 fire fighters’ posts deleted and a reduction in fire engines from 42 to 28.
The Government’s proposal for further huge cuts in 2015 will have devastating effects on operational response, community safety and prevention work.
This Council therefore calls on the Government to cease their irresponsible cuts to our Fire and Rescue Services and pledge instead to protect them from further cuts and threats of privatisation.
That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Fire Minister and all Sefton MP's.
Following debate thereon, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Motion was carried by 46 votes to 7 with 2 abstentions and it was
RESOLVED: That
Sefton Council recognises the excellent work undertaken by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and applauds the long term commitment of all its officers and staff.
The Council also notes that the ability to protect the people of Sefton is being jeopardised by the Government funding cuts, which are also undermining staff morale.
The Council is deeply concerned by the findings of the Sir Ken Knight review of Fire and Rescue Service's which makes the case for further huge cuts, mergers with other Authorities or Police and Crime Commissioners and most worryingly privatisation.
This Council notes with serious concern the Government’s alarming proposals to privatise part if not all functions of the Fire and Rescue Services, along with yet further cuts to their grant funding.
This Council is deeply worried that the Government has lost sight of the Fire Service’s main purpose, to protect residents from fire, road traffic collisions and other emergencies.
Recent Government cuts have seen Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service suffer cuts totalling £19.2m over the 4 year spending review with 180 fire fighters’ posts deleted and a reduction in fire engines from 42 to 28.
The Government’s proposal for further huge cuts in 2015 will have devastating effects on operational response, community safety and prevention work.
This Council therefore calls on the Government to cease their irresponsible cuts to our Fire and Rescue Services and pledge instead to protect them from further cuts and threats of privatisation.
That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Fire Minister and all Sefton MP's.