William Eichler 19 May 2022

County council chiefs welcome fire service white paper

County council chiefs welcome fire service white paper  image
Image: credit: bh-2 / Shutterstock.com.

County council leaders have welcomed the Government’s decision not to remove local fire services from the oversight of upper-tier local authorities.

Earlier proposals for fire service reform had included an ambition for Police and Crime Commissioners or combined authority mayors to oversee local fire services rather than county councils.

However, the Government’s Fire Reform White Paper, published yesterday, stipulated that such a transfer of services would not be mandatory.

‘It is for each commissioner to determine whether they want responsibility for fire,’ the white paper states.

‘If so, they need to produce a proposal for the Home Secretary that demonstrates how a governance transfer meets the statutory tests of economy, efficiency and effectiveness, and that it does not have a detrimental impact on public safety.’

Responding to the white paper, Cllr Tim Oliver, chairman of the County Councils Network, said: ‘We are pleased that today’s white paper does not make that transfer mandatory, and instead sets a wider set of potential governance options, as the County Councils Network (CCN) has called for.

‘The proposals are rightly based on local discretion, albeit, with a clear preference for governance models with a single elected individual having responsibility for the service. We are pleased that one option remains the leader or cabinet member of the upper-tier authority having responsibility and ensuring fire and rescue remains integrated with the county or unitary authority.

‘This is welcome, and a recognition of the strong track record local government has in effectively overseeing local fire services, including driving substantial transformations to ensure they are fit for the 21st century and embedding fire services within councils’ wider community safety remit.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Casual Support Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£25992 - £28163
About Us Abingdon Community Support Service's primary purpose is to support adults to engage with a stimulating programme of meaningful individual and rewarding group activities. The Social and Community Services vision is to support and promote strong c Abingdon Community Support Service
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Quality and Review Support Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
WHAT IS INVOLVED?   You will provide administrative, clerical and typing services to the Quality & Review Service, specifically in support of the Inde Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Duty Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 - £31,022 per annum
We have an opportunity for a Duty Manager at Meadowfield Leisure Centre.  WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of t Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
WHAT IS INVOLVED?   You should be an enthusiastic team player who takes pride in providing excellent customer service.  You will have good communicati Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
We have an exciting opportunity for a permanent Support Officer to join our dedicated team within Business Services (part time 22 hours).   WHAT IS IN Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner