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Gloucestershire Business News

Police chief says public safety would be greater if he took control of county fire service

The county's Police and Crime Commissioner has stepped up his campaign to explain why he believes he should take over governance of the fire service.

Martin Surl said such a move would lead to greater public safety and financial transparency because barriers to cooperation would be removed.

Mr Surl has strongly denied the proposed change of governance amounted to a takeover or empire building.

But the county council, which currently controls Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, is opposing Mr Surl's proposals and so are the county's MPs who say there are no proven financial benefits from such a move.

Speaking directly to members of the county council's Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee and Police and Crime Panel, Mr Surl said: "A review of the governance of police and fire and rescue services offers a real opportunity to improve community safety.

"A single line of accountability between the fire and rescue and police services through a Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) will support and empower their teams to concentrate on what they do best. It will deliver the best possible community safety and emergency services provision for people in Gloucestershire.

"The proposed changes are underpinned by research and planning into collaboration and joint working as set out in the business case and reflect historic efforts to pioneer a 'tri-service' agency of emergency services for Gloucestershire.

"With the unique benefits of improved direct accountability for both fire and rescue and police services, the PFCC will ensure community safety is a priority providing efficiency and effectiveness for the people of Gloucestershire".

Under the Policing and Crime Act, which became law last year, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners (PFCCs) can assume responsibility for both services or they can be run by one chief officer under a PFCC.

Mr Surl said an independent report, sponsored by the Home Office last year, highlighted strong evidence the county would benefit greatly from reform to how Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is governed.

The Police and Crime Commissioner claimed the public debate had been dogged by the amount of misinformation it has generated.

Mr Surl said, "Despite what councillors have said, none of the proposals amount to a merger of the police and fire services. I am not attempting a 'hostile takeover', nor am I 'empire building' nor seeking to change firefighters core working practices".

The public consultation runs until 21 December. You can submit your views at gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/

The final decision will be made by the Home Secretary based on the evidence of the consultation and where a local case is made.

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