Campaign launched to keep fire service at heart of West Sussex communities

A campaign to keep fire and rescue services at the heart of West Sussex communities has been launched.
Safer in Our Hands launch outside County Hall in Chichester on Friday July 22 SUS-160722-170906001Safer in Our Hands launch outside County Hall in Chichester on Friday July 22 SUS-160722-170906001
Safer in Our Hands launch outside County Hall in Chichester on Friday July 22 SUS-160722-170906001

Following new Government legislation, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne is exploring the possibility of taking over fire services in both East and West Sussex.

She is due to commission a business case on the proposals, but changes to how fire services could governed have been opposed across the county.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

West Sussex County Council launched its ‘Safer in Our Hands’ campaign today (Friday July 22), something which this newspaper is backing, as the fire and rescue service is heavily integrated into the authority’s structure.

Safer in Our  Hands logo SUS-160722-170850001Safer in Our  Hands logo SUS-160722-170850001
Safer in Our Hands logo SUS-160722-170850001

A motion supporting the existing model received cross-party support at a WSCC Full Council meeting today.

Louise Goldsmith, leader of WSCC, said: “I’ve always been of the belief that if something is right, you have to fight for it.

“That is why I am really determined to do all I can to keep this excellent service, which provides so much to our residents in so many ways.

“Please support us and put your name to our petition.”

Residents can show their support by:

• Signing an online petition

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

• Filling in a form in September’s West Sussex Connections and returning it to the council

For more information see the county council’s website.

The motion, put forward by Peter Evans (con, East Preston and Ferring), said: “This county council recognises the benefits for our residents of the integration of the fire and rescue service with other vital council services and its close working with partners.

“The service is democratically accountable and we believe that the model we are operating in West Sussex is the right one for our county and the communities we serve.

“The council therefore encourages every member to promote this model for the service at every opportunity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It is always possible to improve democratic accountability and transparency and we will use this opportunity to build such improvements in to the model we have.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.