HQ wrangle could mean new fire cuts

Firefighters in Greater Manchester are being threatened with further funding cuts unless a use is found for the mothballed 999 supercentre in Warrington.

Fire Minister Bob Neill launched a consultation on the future of the service in the wake of abandoned plans to regionalise 999 centres.

Under the plans all fire calls from Manchester would have been routed through a super-centre for the North-West in Warrington.

But Government has said it is tied into a lease of up to 25 years and will continue to have to pay for the buildings.

It warned this will mean less cash for fire authorities unless they use the building or an alternative tenant can be found.

The document states: “It will not be possible to fund all fire and rescue authorities’ priorities and this will inevitably give rise to some difficult choices.”

The Government has indicated it would pay towards the cost of the rent, if brigades choose to move in.

Greater Manchester Fire Brigade Union repeatedly spoke out against plans.

The move would have seen the 46 control centres scrapped and replaced with nine regional hubs.

Launched five years ago the scheme has been dogged by huge delays and spiralling costs as well as fierce criticism from firefighters, who warned the loss of local knowledge would put lives at risk.

Sharon Riley, national FBU executive member for control staff, hit out at the stark choice being offered by the Government.

She said: “It is almost a blackmail situation going on there.

“These are very large buildings and they are built to a very high specification.

“I find it difficult to believe that any fire and rescue authority, even if it was joined by one or two neighbours , would be willing to take on the lease.”

The consultation will also look at whether the original aims of the project, such as improving efficiency and technology, are still valid.

Although fire services will no longer be forced to share control centres, ministers are asking them to consider ways they can work more closely.

This follows concern that smaller forces may not be able to cope with major incidents such as terrorist attacks or severe flooding.