UNION ATTACKS GOVERNMENT CONSULTANT BUDGET

ODPM spends twice as much on IT consultants for fire control closures than they spend on community fire safety

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has spent twice as much money on consultants working on a controversial fire service technology project than its annual budget for community fire safety. The consultancy fees are for work on plans to close all 46 emergency fire control rooms in England and replace them with 9 remote regional centres.

The consultancy fees on this single IT and change project also dwarf annual ODPM spending in other key areas such as tackling arson. The running total of the fees will soon outstrip the £16 million annual budget for fire service training in dealing with terrorist incidents.

FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack revealed the figures at a campaign meeting yesterday to highlight the issue at the Labour Party conference in Brighton. The news comes amid press revelations that Government spending on consultants is spiraling out of control and is now the equivalent of a penny in income tax.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show consultants to ODPM working on plans to close all fire control rooms in England had netted total fees of £14.1 million by the end of June this year. This is nearly twice the ODPM’s £7.34m annual community fire safety budget - supposedly a central plank of fire service policy.

Consultant fees more than ODPM spend on arson

The fees are also more than the £5.2 million annual ODPM spend on tackling the epidemic of arson attacks on homes and cars, another area the Government claims is a priority. One IT company – PA Consulting – had run up fees of nearly £8.9 million, which alone outstrips the ODPM’s annual spend on community fire safety.

FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “These fees are enormous and are far more than annual ODPM spending on fitting smoke alarms or tackling arson. We are also facing cuts in frontline emergency services because of lack of cash.

Cash needed for frontline services being diverted into pockets of rich IT companies

“It is sickening that money desperately needed by the fire service is being diverted into the pockets of rich IT companies. This money would be better spent on frontline services and community safety initiatives which would save lives.

“While life saving fire services are being threatened with cuts and fire stations threatened with closures it is appalling the Government is throwing money away. It’s your local fire service which helps you when you need it, not IT consultants.

“We need to get back to funding the basics of what the fire service does rather than chasing the sort of grandiose technology projects they never seem to get right. The planned closure of control rooms needs to be stopped before more public money is wasted.”

Labour Party FBU campaign meeting: additional points made

General Secretary Matt Wrack also made the following points at the meeting:

Billy Hayes, General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union, also spoke:

Frances O’Grady, Assistant General Secretary of the TUC, told the meeting that:

FBU parliamentary support group member, David Drew MP (Labour, Stroud, Gloucestershire) said:

John McDonnell MP (Labour, Hayes and Harlington), chair of the FBU parliamentary group, told the meeting that the FBU parliamentary support group were planning a renewed attack on the plans when Parliament returns in October.

Andy Dark elected FBU Assistant General Secretary

Andy Dark has been elected Assistant General Secretary of the Fbu in a secret postal ballot conducted by Electoral Reform Balloting services.

Mr Dark fills the post vacated by FBU Assistant General Secretary Mike Fordham who retired on 1 September. Mr Fordham served as a full time national official of the FBU for 26 years.

The result:

Andy Dark, 42, is a London firefighter and the acting FBU London Regional Secretary.

New AGS commits to working with all officials at all levels to tackle challenges ahead

Andy Dark said:

“I am very proud to be elected and am looking forward to representing all of the members of this Union.

“I will work hard with all officials at all levels within the union to address the many challenges we now face to protect this fire service and those that work within it.”
Geoff Ellis said: “I congratulate the winning candidate and welcome him to the team at national office. We will all work together in the best interests of the members.”

Birmingham taxis carrying firefighters' kit

Taxis are being used at public expense to ferry firefighters' uniforms and safety gear between stations, it was revealed today.

The situation has arisen following the introduction of new shift patterns as firefighters have been sent from their home stations to others to cover for sick colleagues.

A firefighter today confirmed at least one case last week where a crew member's kit - which includes helmet, tunic, boots and gloves - had been sent on by taxi at a cost of more than £12.

Stations with fire vans had since been ordered by West Midlands Fire Service bosses to use them to transport the kit but when no van was available taxis were the only alternative.

"This is public money being wasted. I cannot believe it is happening. It is a joke," he said. "It happened to a member of our crew last week. He refused to take his kit so they ordered a taxi to deliver it to the other station. The journey cost more than £12."

The man said he also heard of an instance where a kit was sent from one station to another only for the firefighter involved to be told on arrival that his services were not required but needed at a separate station.

"He had to get the taxi to take his kit there," he said. West Midlands Fire Service Divisional Officer Archie Wheldon said today: "The organisation has considered using taxis as an absolute lastditch effort to move kit.

"A firefighter without his kit cannot be utilised to the maximum benefit of the public.

"Firefighters are paid an allowance to move their kit and, on certain occasions, they can be paid an enhanced allowance.

"While we encourage all our staff to do that and hope that they would, there are times when that does not occur.

"Non-uniformed colleagues are on flexible hours to move equipment around the brigade and kit is part of that."

West Midlands chief fire officer Frank Sheehan has faced a barrage of criticism following the introduction of a new shift system earlier this month. This has resulted in up to a quarter of the brigade's 62 engines being off the run every day because there are not enough firefighters rostered to staff them.

As fears continue to grow over public safety, chief fire officer Frank Sheehan said: "Just bear with us, it will get better." icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk

Northumberland campaign against cuts gains momentum

Villagers fighting plans for a new fire station and service HQ at East Sleekburn, Northumberland, have won the backing of Wansbeck councillors.

About 120 local people have signed a petition complaining the new station would ruin their peace and tranquillity, harm wildlife on the outskirts of the village and increase noise and traffic.

Now the regulatory committee of Wansbeck Council - like the county, Labour-controlled - will tell fire chiefs it opposes the plan because it would disturb the countryside, harm habitats and damage families' quality of life.

Planner officers said the building would be a departure from the Local Plan, being on a greenfield site outside the village. A request by local people for a public meeting is to be taken up with the county council.

Local communities and the FBU are campaigning to stop cuts to Northumberland fire service promoted by chief fire officer Brian Hesler. Blyth, Ashington, Morpeth and Cramlington fire stations face closure.

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Last Modified: 7/04/08 10:50,