So Whats New?
Well the Consultation Period is over (or is it?) . Following massive rejection of the proposals, WYF&RS have now watered down their plans They can be found here->.
A report of the consultation can also be found amongst the agenda of the meeting due to take place on Friday.( It can be found here) from Page 91 onwards - but we have copied the relevant pieces:-
SUMMARY OF FORMAL REPRESENTATIONS
4.1 The Authority received seven letters/emails
(NOTE -Only SEVEN! -editor)
of support or indications of no objection to the proposals. These were from West Yorkshire Resilience Forum, Leeds City Council Safer and Stronger Scrutiny Committee, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, (What about South Yorkshire Fire Service?-Editor) Kirklees Council and two residents from Marsden and Morley. (Must be officers? ed')
4.2 12,037 letters/emails of objection/concern from individuals, groups or organisations were received - 1,309 being unspecific in nature.
Across the county
Across the county
45% of these relate to proposals in the Leeds district,
22% within the Bradford district,
13% in Wakefield district,
9% in the Kirklees district
and less than
22% within the Bradford district,
13% in Wakefield district,
9% in the Kirklees district
and less than
1% in the Calderdale district.
This contrasts to a total 2,999 items of formal representation received following public consultation during September – December 2011 regarding seven proposals to change emergency cover in West Yorkshire.
This contrasts to a total 2,999 items of formal representation received following public consultation during September – December 2011 regarding seven proposals to change emergency cover in West Yorkshire.
Wow what an increase! We at FCCL wonder why?
4.3 There was a volume of correspondence that opposed changes in the districts of Bradford and Leeds. 258 letters/emails of objection/concern related to changes proposed across the Bradford District and 14 letters/emails were received relating to changes across the Leeds District. The issues of concern are captured under the relevant proposals below.
4.4 Activity/responses relating directly to the eleven proposals was as follows (all figures excluding responses by the Fire Brigades Union and Fire Officers’ Association which are outlined at sections 4.15.1 and 4.15.2 below).
OUR FCCL RESPONSE IS OBVIOUSLY NOT WORTHY OF AN INDIVIDUAL MENTION!
It doesn't say, however, how many hits their web site had!
We suspect the reason is, is because this site had many more!
We do still have concerns about the way stakeholders were consulted! (See below).
ONLY 100!
3 CONSULTATION ACTIVITY
3.1 Approximately 100 stakeholders were identified for direct contact, including Members of Parliament; district, town and parish councils; neighbouring fire authorities and emergency services; local representative bodies; external employer and employee organisations and voluntary bodies. Representations
were invited by 30 November 2012.
OK As we at FCCL Have already said, 100, in a county the size of West Yorkshire, IS NOT VERY MANY! and only an increase in 20 on last years!
Click here to see What we feel consultation with Stakeholders should be all about!
In the article found here , it comments that-
"THOUSANDS of residents in more than 100 council wards across West Yorkshire will lose out on emergency response times if radical fire service cutbacks are carried out."
100 council Wards would equal 300 councillors!
3.2 In recognition of the fact that it was not possible to communicate individually with
all those who may wish to submit observations, the proposals were also
publicised via the internet and intranet, the print (See the links here, here and here and broadcast media.
This year a consultation email account was provided and published to improve ease of
This year a consultation email account was provided and published to improve ease of
communication for the public. In addition, a consultation email account and
hotline was established in the Public Information Office for people seeking
further information and assistance on the consultation process and timetable.
HOWEVER WE AT FCCL STILL HAVE CONCERNS
The new proposal now suggest that apart from the removal of appliances from some stations, Garforth, Rothwell and Morley,
are down graded to Day Crewing!
Describes Day Crewing as-
7.5 Day Crewing
Day Crewing is a duty system contained within firefighters' national
terms and conditions, however, any move on to this system is
voluntary, as it requires staff to live within 5 minutes of the station.
Firefighters are suitably recompensed with an on-call allowance,
turnout fees and rent/fuel allowance. In theory, there are sufficient staff
living within the 5 minute zone at all stations proposed to change to the
Day Crewing system but further work is required to establish interest in
working this duty system.
WYF&RS Say- The response in the evening and at nights from
Morley would be delayed by up to five minutes compared to its current performance due to firefighters responding from home and therefore, in some cases, the wholetime shift Hunslet fire engine would respond faster into Morley’s area.
What this means is that, apart from all the additional costs and implementation problems, (as above) which they haven't mentioned!
On an evening,
In MORLEY
There will be a delay of 5 Minutes before an appliance can attend if there is an incident!
WYF&RS Say- The response in the evening and at nights from
Morley would be delayed by up to five minutes compared to its current performance due to firefighters responding from home and therefore, in some cases, the wholetime shift Hunslet fire engine would respond faster into Morley’s area.
This is actually worse than the original proposals!-
Councillor Robert Finnigan (Morley Independants) has already e mailed us and shown his support!
Councillor Robert Finnigan (Morley Independants) has already e mailed us and shown his support!
And NOTHING is mentioned about the time increase in the revised proposals for!
GARFORTH and ROTHWELL
Back in 2004 WYF&RS tried to downgrade Garforth to Day Crewing (see link here) (and here)
This is what happened then!
Article can be found here!
This is what happened then!
Article can be found here!
Victory for Public Opinion!
We at FCCL feel that these new proposals are once again subject to further public consultation and urge every one concerned to immediately contact their
Local Councillor
to demand that this now takes place,
BEFORE NEXT FRIDAY'S AUTHORITY MEETING
YOU CAN FIND THE LINK TO CONTACT THEM
YOU CAN FIND THE LINK TO CONTACT THEM
