The Labour group on Gloucestershire County Council have used a procedural move to challenge the decision to cut frontline fire and rescue services. The procedure, known as a ‘call-in’, will challenge the consultation process that led to the decision to close Painswick fire station and cut full-time fire and rescue services at Cirencester fire station.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has consistently raised concerns that the consultation was one sided, misleading and used incorrect information. The Labour group has now formally challenged the consultation response, which means that the decision will be considered by the Scrutiny Management Committee in the next few weeks.
This comes after a sustained campaign by the FBU, the Labour group, residents and firefighters to stop the cuts in the fire service.
Trevor French, regional secretary of the FBU in the south west, said: “We have raised concerns about this consultation process from the outset and we are very pleased that the Labour group is challenging it. It is the professional view of firefighters that the one sided nature of the consultation showed an intent to achieve a pre-ordained outcome – namely cuts to frontline services – and the signatures against these cuts were totally ignored. It’s time that the public voice was listened to and these plans are reversed".
Barry Kirby, the Labour member for Kingsway and Grange and shadow member for the fire and rescue service, said: “The council’s consultation was pitiful; they spoke to around two hundred people across the county to decide whether Painswick fire station should close and whether Cirencester should be downgraded. The fact that thousands of people have signed petitions and lobbied the council to keep these frontline services operational demonstrates that the fire stations should not be shut.
“Critically though, the consultation that was carried out was misleading and confusing. The Council have a duty to carry out surveys properly, and make appropriate decisions.”
Lesley Williams, the leader of the Labour group, said: “I have always held concerns about the validity of consultations, especially when the recorded response rates are so low. Now at least we will be able to scrutinise this decision more fully and allow the voices of Painswick and Cirencester residents to be heard properly.”
