Fire Chiefs hopeful of improved financial strength to keep stations open
Eight on-call stations were set to shut to bridge a financial deficit
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) says it's optimistic that it won't need to close any fire stations, as it hopes it will soon be in a stronger financial position.
Eight on-call stations had been set to close to address a funding shortfall, with a public consultation held between February and May to gather opinions and suggestions from local people. Over 6,000 people responded to the public consultation.
It comes after a £1.8 million Government grant has stabilised the short-term future of the Service, but the Chief Fire Officer says there is still work to be done.
The grant was a result of a business case around accessibility to training materials,improved decision making, and better use of data and technology being put forward to Downing Street, although it is separate to the conversations about closures.
DWFRS plans to apply for greater flexibility on it's precept - the amount we pay through our council tax. It wants to request a rise of £8.77 next year to bring it in-line with the national average.
CFO Andy Cole said: "This increase in precept equates to an increase from about 1.86 per week for the residents of Dorset and Wiltshire for their fire and rescue service to just over 2 pounds."
He added that it's vital conversations continue despite the imminent threat of stations closing subsiding.
The hard work must continue
The additional funding through the Government grant has allowed the CFO to change his recommendation to the Fire and Rescue Authority.
He said there is a lot of hope in securing the improved precept settlement, meaning he can change his position.
"I've said throughout this process that if our financial position changed, then so would my advice to the Fire Authority. And as a result of the public consultation, the discussions that I've had with government and the discussions that some of our local MPs have been able to have in Westminster, I'm now optimistic that our financial position will change.
"My recommendation is now that all 8 stations that were previously proposed for closure remain open and that I implement a modernisation programme to improve the service and make it fit for the 21st century."
However, it's not a done deal. The Service will make it's application to Government, with the backing of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for the one-off increase in precept, before it returns to the standard £5.
CFO Cole said any further funding reductions, or failure in achieving the precept rise, would result in a deficit being faced again, with the result being cuts to frontline services, as the Fire Service is legally required to set a balanced budget.
He thanked the public, his staff and local MPs for their help in enabling the conversations with Government Ministers, saying it's been constructive and he hopes to be able to deliver a financially sustainable future for the service.