29.08.18
Norfolk council condemns ‘misleading, flawed and untested’ PCC bid to control fire services
A business case made by Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) to run the county’s fire service has been condemned as “misleading” and “flawed” by Norfolk County Council.
In an announcement today, Norfolk councillors— who voted to keep the fire service under the local authority’s control— argued following a council meeting that the PCC Lorne Green proposal “is putting public safety at risk.”
But the PCC noted that one commissioner for both services could allow for greater joint working and unlock £10m in efficiencies over the next decade.
“Financial benefits will be reinvested in frontline services to improve public safety in our communities,” Green’s business case said. “The Fire & Rescue service will retain its cultural identity and gain operational and financial independence.”
Yet councillors at Norfolk highlighted a number of concerns with the business case, claiming that his £10m efficiency figures were misleading because the claimed efficiencies were “speculative and untested.”
“It is not clear which service will benefit from any claimed savings and additional investment,” the council’s statement said, adding: “The proposal makes a number of assumptions and untested claims. The cost and disruption of change is unquantified and untested.”
Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, chair of Norfolk County Council’s Communities Committee, explained: “We have carefully reviewed the PCC’s business case and have serious concerns over the reliability of its content. It’s filled with assumptions and inaccurate information that just don’t stack up to present a viable case for change, nor deliver the efficiencies promised.
“Norfolk County Council has been running Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service since 1974. Based on many years of experience, NFRS is managed efficiently, effectively and economically. It is safe in our hands.
“We are worried that the PCC is putting public safety at risk if he continues to pursue taking control over our Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service.”
The county council is encouraging the public to visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/insafehands and respond to the PCC’s consultation.
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