Merger between West Sussex and East Sussex fire services denied

A CLAIM that officials could be heading ‘hotfoot’ towards a full merger between the West Sussex and East Sussex fire and rescue services was strongly denied.

The claim was made by Morwen Millson, leader of the county council opposition Liberal Democrat group, which had asked for a special debate by the community services select committee.

Background to moves towards possible closer collaboration between the two fire services is that the West Sussex service needs to make a further saving of £2.5m by the end of March, 2013. This is on top of a £1.5m reduction in 2011-12.

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Cllr Millson said there was concern about lack of detailed information available to the county council as a whole about proposals for increased co-operation with East Sussex.

She was concerned two particular options were already being discounted, and that another – for increased collaboration – was being pursued only as window dressing, as it clearly would not deliver the required savings.

If this was the case, West Sussex was proceeding hotfoot towards a full merger, and more opportunity should be given to councillors to be involved with the ‘momentous decision,’

Cllr Pete Bradbury, cabinet member for public protection, said the overall timetable was extensive.

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The process began in July, 2010, and if it was decided a merger was the best way forward, the final decision would be taken by the full county council, not himself, in December.

If a merger was proposed, a full 12-week consultation would take place in both counties.

Cllr Bradbury indicated that operational fire officers had advised against two options – a senior management team reporting to West Sussex County Council and East Sussex Fire Authority, and a joint board and single management team.

He rejected Cllr Millson’s claim an option for increased collaboration was just window dressing. This was not the case – work was on-going to try to identify further savings and no decision had yet been made.

“Cllr Millson may be right that eventually the only way to find the savings will be a merger, but we can’t say that now,” said Cllr Bradbury.