Isle of Wight councillor and Ryde Mayor Karen Lucioni has been appointed Vice-Chair of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority, with Hampshire County Councillor Prad Bains elected as the authority’s new Chair.
Mayor Lucioni, an Independent member representing Ryde Monktonmead on the Isle of Wight Council, was elected to the senior leadership position at the Fire Authority’s annual meeting.
She will serve alongside newly appointed Chair Councillor Prad Bains, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Hamble and Netley and Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority is responsible for overseeing Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, ensuring it operates efficiently and effectively on behalf of communities across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.
Made up of 11 elected members from the 4 local authorities, the authority provides governance and strategic oversight of the fire and rescue service.
As Chair, Councillor Bains will lead Fire Authority meetings and help ensure the service continues to deliver against its priorities while responding to the changing needs of local communities.
Councillor Bains has said:
“It is a great honour to be appointed Chair of the Fire Authority. As a former on-call Hampshire firefighter, this organisation is something that I truly care about, and I am determined to make a positive contribution as Chair of the Fire Authority over the year ahead, ensuring Hampshire and the Isle of Wight continues to have an efficient and effective service that helps make life safer for everyone.”
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Chief Fire Officer Sabrina Cohen-Hatton welcomed both appointments, saying:
“The Fire Authority’s role is to provide good governance and scrutiny of the Service, ensuring we continue to meet the needs of the communities we serve and make the best use of our resources.
“Their role is particularly vital as nationally we fight for fairer funding for fire and rescue services, and locally we navigate the changing democratic landscape for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“On behalf of everyone at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, I’d like to congratulate Councillor Prad Bains and Councillor Karen Lucioni on their appointments as Chair and Vice Chair of the Fire Authority. I look forward to working with them over the coming year.”
Mayor Lucioni’s appointment ensures the Isle of Wight continues to have representation at the highest level of the Fire Authority’s leadership as it oversees the delivery of fire and rescue services across the region.
Councillor Bains succeeds Councillor Rhydian Vaughan as Chair, who was thanked by members of the authority for his leadership and contribution during his tenure.
