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12
Jul 2024
New deputy mayor prepared to meet with unions over fire cuts concern
The new deputy mayor of North Yorkshire says she is prepared to meet firefighter unions over concerns at North Yorkshire’s fire service.
Joe Coles, who was sworn in as the Labour deputy mayor for policing, fire and crime on Tuesday, said one of her earliest priorities would be to meet with the Fire Brigades Union.
Under the previous Conservative police and fire commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe, the union raised concern over a controversial plan to cut the number of overnight fire engines in Harrogate and Scarborough from two to one.
The move formed part of the commissioner’s risk and resource model, which set out how the fire service will deploy its resources over the next three years. It puts the emphasis on fire prevention, especially during the day when most fires occur.
However, the union warned the decision would lead to a “second-rate emergency response service that will put lives at risk”.
Ms Coles, who started as deputy mayor on Monday, said she planned to meet the FBU to hear the concerns it had.
She said:
I will absolutely be meeting with the FBU to hear what their concerns are around firefighter safety. It’s one of my earliest priorities.
I am frustrated that I haven’t had time to meet with them already.
I need to meet with them to hear what their frustrations are, because ultimately the fire service lives on the equipment, resourcing and training that we give to our firefighters.
Ms Coles added that she would also look at funding for the service, which is among the lowest funded in the country.
In January 2022, the Stray Ferret revealed that North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service faced having to borrow up to £31 million to fund new equipment after the government abolished its capital grant. At the time, Steve Howley, secretary of the North Yorkshire Fire Brigade’s Union, said the service was “struggling to buy the basics”.
Gavin Marshall, FBU general secretary for Yorkshire and Humberside, said:
The last 14 years of cuts has taken its toll on North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Fire cover has been reduced and response times have risen due to daily understaffing. The people of York and North Yorkshire deserve better.
The threat of further devastating cuts had been on the table, but the Labour government now has the power to turn things around and invest in our service
The Fire Brigades Union is keen to take any opportunity to sit down with the York and North Yorkshire mayor and deputy mayor for policing, fire and crime to discuss the rebuilding of North Yorkshire’s fire service.
The Stray Ferret will feature a full length interview with Jo Coles, deputy mayor for police, fire and crime, on Monday.
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