Fire Authority Fail Berkshire Residents

MEDIA RELEASE

The Fire Brigades Union in Berkshire has strongly condemned the decision taken by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) to accept the Governments ‘one off’ Council Tax Freeze Grant rather than increase the council tax precept.

At its Budget setting meeting on 15^th February 2012 members of the Fire Authority voted in favour of accepting the Council Tax Freeze Grant instead of opting for a modest increase of just 3.5% to its share of the council tax. That rise would have equated to just £1.95 for a band D household and given Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) a stable financial footing for the future.

Without this much needed money being placed in the Fire Authority’s base budget, there is now the potential for further cuts. Efficiency savings are already hitting RBFRS hard and the future has become even bleaker. This can only affect the performance of the brigade, which is already failing in certain areas.

Maurice Whyte, Berkshire FBU Brigade Chair, said ‘In deciding not to raise the precept, the Fire Authority has missed the opportunity to put vital funds into its base budget. The people of Berkshire now face potential cutbacks and may not get the service that they deserve in future years. Put simply, the Fire Authority has baulked at making the right decision at the right time and this is something we shall pay for later in terms of an efficient and effective fire service.’

At the same meeting the Fire Authority decided to re-engage the Chief Fire Officer, Iain Cox, when he eventually retires. The Fire Brigades Union welcomes this decision as it will give RBFRS continuity in a tumultuous period of financial uncertainty and unprecedented cuts in public funding.

Mark Stollery, Berkshire FBU Brigade Secretary, said ‘This is a good decision and one that will give much needed stability to Berkshire at a time of upheaval in the fire service.’ He added, ‘We have worked closely with Chief Fire Officer Cox in previous years and whilst we don’t always agree we have established a good relationship with him.  We look forward to building on this relationship and ensuring that firefighters work in safe conditions to deliver a first class service to the residents of Berkshire.’

***ENDS***

Press contacts:

Mark Stollery – Brigade Secretary – 07917 065868

Maurice Whyte – Brigade Chair – 07917 065867