Fire service to be taken over by Staffordshire's police and crime commissioner
Fire and police service governance in Staffordshire are set to be merged after government officials gave controversial plans the go-ahead.
The Home Office announced today that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service will governed by the region's police and crime commissioner (PCC).
It means the fire and rescue authority - made up of 21 councillors from Stoke-on-Trent city and Staffordshire county councils, will fold.
Staffordshire PCC Matthew Ellis said: "The change to governance and oversight will not affect frontline operations of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Officers and staff should not be unduly worried - it’s entirely business as usual.
"This is an opportunity to further improve the way the police and the fire service work together and to ensure more of the funding available goes to frontline services.
"Staffordshire is a large and diverse county and it’s important the future for both services is financially more secure with a period of stability to get on with the difficult jobs they do.
"I’m sure everyone would want to thank the various city councillors and county councillors for their time on the fire and rescue authority."
The plans will see more streamlined back office functions and governance structure, bringing savings of more than £5 million a year - which is expected to be ploughed back into frontline services.
Changes will be implemented over the 'coming weeks and months', with a series of engagement events planned with officers and staff.
Plans for the new arrangements - which will see the two organisations remain independent - are also set to be published, Mr Ellis said.
Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant welcomed the news, claiming he was 'delighted and relieved' the fire service will come under the PCC's authority.
He said: "This is very good news for the people of Staffordshire and fire fighters based at fire stations who have seen their capabilities eroded.
“These changes will result in millions of pounds worth of annual savings in back-office administration functions which can now be redirected into frontline fire fighting services. This is excellent news for Staffordshire.”
The fire and rescue authority was paid almost £120,000 last year in allowances and expenses, with chairman Stephen Sweeney picking up more than £20,000.
Councillor Sweeney said: “We will now work closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure a smooth transition over to his governance.
"The authority will however continue to be responsible for the governance of the fire and rescue service until both parties are confident that everything is in place to ensure a successful move."
