Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner to consult on fire service management

Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner has launched a public consultation on whether his office should manage the county’s fire service.

Lorne Green says the proposal could save millions of pounds and improve collaboration between the two services.

But Norfolk County Council, which currently oversees the service, says it could risk the closure of some stations.

The announcement comes after Mr Green’s office commissioned external consultants to examine whether a business case for change could be made, following the introduction of a new law last year which made it a legal duty for the emergency services to work together.

Mr Green said: “There are some great examples of joint working between Norfolk Constabulary and Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service already underway but, if we are honest, successes have too often been slow, patchy and complicated.

“I’m not interested in a merger. We are talking about two distinct services with distinct cultures, histories and traditions. That would not change.

“A change of governance would allow us to do more to make our communities safer.”

Under the proposal, Mr Green would become the county’s police, fire and crime commissioner, though he maintains the fire service would retain financial and operational independence.

A business case for the switch argues it would save £10 million over 10 years and make collaboration easier.

But Margaret Dewsbury, chairman of the Norfolk County Council communities committee, which oversees the fire service at the moment, said they were “unconvinced” by the commissioner’s claims and argued the costs of change would have to be met up-front.

She said: “There is no clear evidence that any savings would be easier to achieve through a change in governance as opposed to continuing our very successful track record of collaboration and joint working.

“We are also concerned that the majority of the suggested savings would be delivered through buildings rationalisation – therefore putting the future of our fire stations at risk.

“The police service is organised based on demand, whilst fire and rescue is based on risk. The business case fails to recognise this fundamental principle.”

The consultation, called A Case for Change, will run until September 5. People can have their say online at www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk by phoning 01953 424455, emailing TellLorne@norfolk.pnn.police.uk or writing to OPCCN, Building 8, Jubilee House, Falconers Chase, Wymondham NR18 0WW.

Critics of the plan to transfer fire service governance to Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner, Lorne Green, say they have no confidence in the proposal.

Campaigners have urged West Norfolk residents to oppose the idea in the public consultation announced by Mr Green on Wednesday.

North West Norfolk Labour secretary Jo Rust said: “We have no confidence that if this goes ahead the PCC won’t seek to worsen terms and conditions or hijack some of the fire service budget for police use.

“But, most importantly, the fire service are humanitarian while the police are law enforcers.

“By joining the governance of the two organisations the public view of the two services could alter and fire services might face difficulties undertaking their role in the way they do now.

“What experience does the PCC have in this area? He wasn’t elected to run fire services. We opposed the creation of the PCC role and to add fire services to it is highly inappropriate.”

Meanwhile, nearly 900 people have already signed an online petition, started by the Fire Brigades Union, via the change.org website, against what the union has claimed is a “hostile takeover” of the service by Mr Green.

It says: “We are vehemently opposed to the takeover, as it is a fundamental threat to our professional service.”