Fire service could suffer as precept is frozen

WEST Berkshire’s residents will not have to pay more for their fire service this year, a decision described as “desperately sad” by union members who claimed it puts more pressure on an already beleaguered service.
The decision not to raise the precept - part of the council tax - was taken by the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority at a meeting in Wokingham on Wednesday (15), despite expectations that the precept would be increased by 3.5 per cent.
Fire Brigade Union chairman and Newbury fireman, Maurice Whyte, said: “These are desperately sad times for the fire service and for the people of West Berkshire.
“Put simply, the authority has baulked at making the right decision. Efficiency savings are already hitting hard and the future has become even bleaker. This can only affect the performance of the brigade, which is already failing in certain areas.”
The decision comes at tumultuous times at the fire service, where far reaching changes are being pushed through this year.
These include the loss of Newbury’s Heavy Rescue Unit, which deals with large building fires and multi-vehicle accidents. It will be moved to Reading, while another similar vehicle currently working from Slough will be scrapped, leaving only one to cover Berkshire.
The authority is also pushing ahead with the Berkshire and Oxfordshire control room – where calls to the emergency service is answered – merging together at one base.
The decision not to ask the taxpayer to pay more taxes towards the fire service went against a recommendation supported by the fire authority chairman and majority Conservative group leader, Colin Dudley, a Bracknell Forest member.
Mr Dudley had previously openly supported a 3.5 per cent rise, but following a closed Conservative group pre-meeting, the party, which has an overwhelming majority, decided to instead support the decision to freeze the precept.
A former chairman of the authority, West Berkshire councillor Paul Bryant has warned: “This was a rather risky move as it means we may have to increase the precept by a massive amount next year, but as we don’t really know what is going to happen next year, we decided to adopt a policy that will take care of this year and let next year take care of itself.
“It is risky, but it is a risk I think we can contend with.”
Fire authority member and West Berkshire councillor Jeff Brooks said he thought it was the wrong decision, and that most people would support paying more for a better fire service: “We can understand that people don’t want their council tax to go up, but the 3.5 per cent rise would only have equated to 4 pence a week, and I think that is a price most people would be happy to pay for a good fire service.”
One thing that will not change at the service is the chief officer. The meeting voted to re-appointed Chief Fire Officer, Iain Cox for a period of two years. Mr Cox became eligible for retirement in October last year.
This was roundly welcomed, including by Mr Dudley, who said: “The main reason for this decision is the need for stability, both now and for the immediate future.”