Council leaders united against commissioner's fire service bid

Councillor Peter Nutting, the Conservative leader of Shropshire Council, said he was "very disappointed" that West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, had decided to press ahead with the controversial move.

Councillor Shaun Davies, Labour leader of Telford & Wrekin Council has also called on Mr Campion to focus on the job he was elected to do instead of "grabbing power".

Both councils signed up to a formal letter objecting to the plans.

Councillor Nutting said: "Personally I am very disappointed in John's actions. We really have tried to avoid a clash but he seems determined to carry on in spite of the fact all the councils in the area he covers are totally opposed to what he wants to do.

"He still believes he can run the service better than anyone else but I do not believe it.

"I actually think all of the council areas provide a good fire service and I am very impressed with Shropshire Fire and Rescue and see no reason to change it one bit."

Councillor Davies said: "We have got the situation where all local authorities are opposed, both fire authorities are opposed, the unions are opposed, this can only come down to John Campion attempting to power grab and empire build.

"And I think with the pressures and issues he has got as police commissioner he should be focussed on that job. He has been police commissioner for a couple of years and I think he should focus on the job he was elected to do rather than grabbing power.

"It is also really regrettable that he has decided to have a consultation and rather than take some time to sit down with the fire authorities and local authorities about what is possible he decided to shunt things forward and I think the public believe there are better things John Campion and the Government should be doing right now."

Mr Campion wants to combine his current position with that of commissioner of Shropshire & Wrekin Fire Authority, as well as Hereford & Worcestershire Fire Authority.

He has claimed he can save £4 million across the services. However, Shropshire & Wrekin Fire Authority has said it already has plans to save around £2 million.

A three month consultation, with more than 1,300 responses, saw 61 per cent supporting the proposals.

Mr Campion said: “I promised I would listen to, and be guided by, our communities and that is what I am doing. If there is credible evidence that a change in governance would cost less, achieve more and has public backing, I cannot just ignore that. For those reasons I felt it was right to further develop these proposals, create a full business case and put it to government for their consideration.

“I recognise that some people had raised concerns during the consultation, but I am confident those concerns have been addressed in the full business case. Enhanced collaboration between our emergency services must now be delivered to increase public safety.”