Plans for a 12-week consultation into creating a new combined fire authority for the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, which will mean that decisions about the Island’s fire service will no longer be made locally, looks set to move ahead.
The Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet is being asked to accept the detailed business case and give the green light for the consultation when it meets on Thursday 14th June.
The new body, if eventually approved, would bring together the governance of the Island’s fire authority – which is currently the Isle of Wight Council – and the Hampshire Fire Authority. Although the Isle of Wight would have a seat on the fire authority decisions would be made, jointly, on the mainland.
Following the consultation and Full Council consideration, the proposal for a combined authority will go before Cabinet to approve. The final decision will rest with the Secretary of State.
Approval of the plans would see Isle of Wight Council tax payers coughing up an extra £3.74 per annum for a Band D property.
Councillor Tig Outlaw, who recently replaced Gary Peace as Cabinet member for public protection, has said:
“In March this year our Full Council accepted an outline business case for a combined fire authority but at that time we felt it was right and necessary to ensure the Isle of Wight community was presented with the detailed business case prior to consultation.
“This is the next stage in that process as we, and Hampshire, look at the case to combine the overall governance of our two authorities. No change to the current operations of our fire and rescue service is envisaged in this report.
Article continues below this advertisement “The Cabinet will now assess the comprehensive version and look to undertake a thorough 12 week consultation involving key stakeholders, including unions, town and parish councils and the Isle of Wight public.
“This is about achieving what is best for our Island community, ensuring the future resilience of the service and the safety of our residents.
“We already have a strategic partnership agreement with Hampshire. This has brought improved capacity, shared expertise and significant career development opportunities for firefighters and officers. That current agreement comes to an end in 2020 and the proposed combined authority is the next potential step.”
Since the partnership began in 2015 there has been combined working between the Island and Hampshire in strategic leadership, fire control and mobilising, health and safety, fleet and equipment maintenance, and other areas. It has meant the loss of a local Chief Fire Officer and has seen Senior Officers leave the Island, whilst some mainland-based officers have transferred to this side of the Solent.
It cannot be overlooked that the partnership has been a money saving exercise with £437,000 saved per annum. If the combined fire authority is given the go ahead then the Council could make savings of £270,000 in central support costs and transfer some financial liabilities to the new combined authority, including £520,000 a year for maintaining all 10 fire stations and short-term vehicle replacement totaling £1.8 million.
It is said that the Island’s current estate of fire stations is ‘old and in a poor state of repair’, with improvement estimates saying that £2.34million is required over the next 5 years – £1.4million of that within the next 12-24 months. Furthermore, £2.4million is needed for vehicle replacement over the next 5 years but the Isle of Wight Council currently only has £600,000 set aside.
Councillor Outlaw continued:
“This new comprehensive business case explores the risks and benefits of a new combined authority, with public safety paramount alongside a focus on efficiency, effectiveness and economic factors.
“The report suggests a combined authority would improve levels of service, including in key preventative areas such as community and business safety initiatives. It would enhance capacity and help toward future improvements and development. This consultation will now give us the opportunity to listen to our community’s views on the proposal.”
If approved by the Council’s Cabinet, the consultation would begin during the Summer, with a similar process taking place in Hampshire. A report back on the findings would be due in the Autumn.
