Cabinet set to discuss plans to shut fire stations as cuts bite

LEADING councillors in Calderdale are set to discuss their response to far-reaching plans to shut fire stations in Brighouse and Elland to meet Government spending cuts.

Earlier this year, bosses at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said they wanted to replace the stations with a new one in Rastrick.

Overall the plans would see the loss of 102 full-time firefighter posts across West Yorkshire with 10 stations closed to be replaced by five new buildings.

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Two dozen firefighters work on shift at Elland and a further 24 at Brighouse but half could go under the proposals.

If the plans are approved the proposals will be implemented between 2013 and 2017.

A report by the council for a meeting of its cabinet to be held next Monday says the fire authority is “facing challenging budget pressures and has identified a number of proposals to rationalise fire stations across West Yorkshire.

“Brighouse and Elland have historically been areas which have experienced very few serious fires though the proximity of the stations to the M62 has resulted in resources based within these areas responding to a higher than average number of road traffic collisions.

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“Both Brighouse and Elland fire stations have one frontline fire appliance and, given the low risk and low operational activity levels in these areas, WYFRA believes that it can provide a more efficient and effective service by consolidating these resources at a new fire station located within the Rastrick area.

“The new fire station should improve the fire appliance arrival times into the higher risk areas of Huddersfield and a quicker response to road traffic accidents on the M62.”

It said the fire authority believed the reduction from two to one continually-staffed fire engine would offer better value for money, with the loss of as many as 24 positions.

It added: “In light of the sensitivity of fire service cover, the range of issues identified and members’ community leadership role, it is recommended that representations should be made on behalf of local people.”

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Financial implications suggest the merging of the two stations will result in efficiency savings of four watch managers, four crew managers and 16 firefighters.

Building the new fire station is anticipated to cost £2.8 million but it is thought that overall a saving of £982,000 would be made.

Coun Howard Blagbrough, (Con, Brighouse), said: “On the whole I am in favour of the plans, it means having a fantastic new fire station.

“Certainly the one at Brighouse is fairly outdated now.

“Where it is located at the moment in Brighouse is not ideal and most people seem to be in favour of the move.

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“I have not had any negative feedback. The only thing I am unsure of is where the new fire station would be located in Rastrick.”

Coun Bryan Smith (Labour, Ovenden), who is Calderdale’s representative on the fire authority, said he was in favour of the plans too.

He said: “The Brighouse fire station needs a great deal of refurbishment and the one in Elland needs a lot of modernisation also so I think these plans are a good idea.

“We believe that spending money on refurbishment would be better spent on a new modern station.

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“Over the last 50 years the demographics of residential areas have changed significantly - both stations are reckoned to be low risk while the M62 is one of the busiest sections that these two stations service.”

He said that he did not know where the new station would be located in Rastrick though he was aware that the authority had a couple of sites in mind.