Andrew Dismore

At today’s LFEPA London Fire Authority meeting, Labour London Assembly and Fire Authority Resources Committee chair Andrew Dismore AM successfully defied London Mayor Boris Johnson over his approach to cuts in the fire service.

Mr Dismore moved the recommendations, accepted by the Authority, to stand up to the Mayor and to refuse to implement the Mayor’s plan to cut 13 fire engines from the Fire Brigade (set out below)

Before the meeting the Mayor had written to the Authority, threatening to issue a binding direction to force the 13 fire engine cuts.

After the meeting Mr Dismore said:

‘I am very pleased the Authority accepted my proposals, even though the Conservatives voted against them.

‘The wishes of the public were clear in the consultation: over 70% of Londoners do not want to see the 13 fire engines go.

‘My plan, whilst achieving a balanced budget, enables us to keep the 13 fire engines, as the public wishes.

‘It is a disgrace that the Mayor of London wishes to put two fingers up to Londoners over such an important public safety issue.

‘The Fire Authority has now done its duty, by London; let us see if the Mayor will now accept our decision, or try to force through his completely unnecessary cuts.’

 

 

Motion moved by Mr Dismore and approved by LFEPA.

The Authority

1 takes note of the memorandum from the Resources Committee from its 14^th January meeting; and in particular that:

The committee believes that operational changes are best introduced, so far as possible, as part of a comprehensive package consequent on the outcome of the full LSP 6 review to take effect in the year 2017/18, and therefore considers that any operational changes for 2016/17 should be kept to the absolute minimum required to produce a balanced budget;

with which opinion the Authority concurs and considers to be achieved by option A; notes that the savings target has been substantially reduced since first identified; and that option A produces a balanced budget for 2016/17;

2 recognises and takes note of the overwhelming public support across London in the consultation for Option A;

3 takes note that the Mayor is minded to direct the Authority to adopt option B as set out in his Chief of Staff’s letter of 11^th February to the Chair;

4 also notes however that the letter on behalf of the Mayor makes no direct response to the outcome of the public consultation nor the Resources Committee memorandum and does not respond to the arguments set out therein;

5 therefore resolves that option A should be adopted for the next financial year, as adjusted to reduce the level of cuts required as set out in paragraphs 15 to 18 of the supplementary report , the effect of which on operational appliances will be

1. a) to alternate crew 4 (instead of 5) aerial appliances and 2 OSUs
2. b) to avoid the need for the original option A proposal to alternate crew some FRUs
3. c) to avoid the need to cut the 13 front line pumps as set out in option B

6 instructs officers to consider how further resources can be identified during the forthcoming year to create a one off payment into a Community Safety Investment Reserve , for example from any underspend in 2015/16;

7 instructs officers to advise the Mayor of these recommendations and to invite him to reconsider his proposed course of action in light of them.