Budget squeeze for fire service

COUNCIL tax payers will fork out a pound a week on average to cover the cost of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

This year’s budget proposals recommend a 2.5 per cent increase in the council tax precept — it’s lowest ever and the same rise Oldham Council is expected to make.

Fire chiefs say it’s a small increase set against a backdrop of significant financial pressure to find efficiencies.

They point out the service has been acclaimed the most efficient in England and reduced deaths and injuries from fire in 2009 to Greater Manchester’s lowest-ever recorded figure.

A recent Audit Commission report rated the fire authority as performing well and found it operationally effective, influential nationally and innovative in its approach to modernising.

It also helped other communities both nationally and internationally, with local firefighters and equipment playing a critical role tackling the floods in Cumbria and the earthquake in Haiti.

Investment in training and development, partnership fire safety initiatives and equipment will continue into 2010.

This financial year has seen investment of more than £2.5 million on state-of-the-art safety equipment and training, while further investment in 2010-11 may include improving its fleet of fire engines, specialist equipment and training facilities.

Fire chiefs say plans to build new fire stations in Rochdale and Bury will also ensure that its 2,000 staff are positioned in key locations.

And areas such as management structure are being reviewed to create more efficiencies without adversely affecting the service.

Fire authority chairman Councillor James Pearson said: “The current global financial crisis is having a major impact on the provision of public services.

“Fire and rescue is not identified as a special case, so we will need more than ever to continue to change and adapt as all public services.”

Vice-chairman Councillor Paul Shannon said: “Balancing our prevention, protection and emergency response work is under constant review, and we believe that these proposals will allow the service to continue to make Greater Manchester a safer place for all.”

The budget plans will go before a fire authority meeting on February 11 for final approval.