Attempts to transfer responsibility for the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service have been strongly opposed by councillors.

At a meeting of full council, elected members from different parties voted unanimously to work together to fight a possible transfer of the fire authority away from Gloucestershire County Council.

The council said it had noted that Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl had "employed consultants to prepare a takeover bid for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service."

A motion at full council proposed by Cllr Jeremy Hilton and seconded by Cllr Bernard Fisher asked the county council to agree:

"that it is better for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service to remain under the governance of Gloucestershire County Council and agrees that all members should work together to oppose a transfer of the responsibility of the fire authority away from Gloucestershire County Council."

Cllr Jeremy Hilton (Lib Dem) said he was delighted that the motion attracted overwhelming support from members.

"It's clear from the recent study that removing the fire and rescue service from the county council would cost the public £2.5million over three years without any savings at all," he said.

"On top of this, the disruption could cause severe damage to the quality of the service we provide and to the collaboration between the fire and rescue service, other blue light services and the rest of the public sector.

"We should remember that GFRS under our governance is one of the most innovative and effective fire and rescue services in the country, establishing the tri service centre, co-responding with partners, and carrying out safe and well checks."

County council leader Cllr Mark Hawthorne added: "Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service should be allowed to continue the great work it is doing rather than using valuable resources in a costly change of governance.

"I hope the police and crime commissioner will realise any move would not be in the interests of local people this service works so hard to protect."

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

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Readers' comments:

Vera Fenwick: I don't understand how Martin Surl had the authority to go ahead and spend public money on employing consultants to prepare a takeover bid for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.

This smacks so much of an ulterior motive and it would be a disgrace if gets away with such a waste.