Conservative councillors on Suffolk County Council have voted down a motion that would save six fire engines and countless firefighter posts from the axe.
The joint motion put forward by the Labour group and Liberal Democrats on the council, as well as having the support of all other parties and independent councillors, would have also secured the future of Wrentham fire station but was lost by one vote.
According to the council, the Tory councillors objected to the motion because it preceded the results of a public consultation which recently closed over the future of fire and rescue services across the county. Councillor Hicks, who has responsibility for fire provision in the county, suggested the council will ‘abide’ by the results of the public consultation.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said that when the results of the consultation are published the county council should do what the public have asked.
Roy Humphreys, FBU Suffolk brigade secretary, said: “This is not about local politics or what party you belong to or the colour of the rosette you wear at an election. This is about local democracy.
“We believe that the people of Suffolk will reject these proposals. The councillors who decided that they could not support the motion made it clear that they will do what the public suggests in the consultation. We’ll hold them to that promise.”
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is facing cuts of £1.2m, which the FBU says will put residents, businesses and homes all at greater risk.
