Fire control HQ 'won't save any money at all'

A CONTROVERSIAL regional fire control centre which was billed as helping to save millions of pounds of taxpayers' cash could actually cost around £150,000 a year more to operate for Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

The new Taunton centre, which will centralise operations across six fire authority areas, is expected to cost more than £80,000 a year more than the existing arrangements in Devon and Somerset. In Cornwall, the projected extra cost is more than £65,000.

Gloucestershire and Wiltshire are expected to be the only counties which will generate savings, of £90,000 and £244,000 respectively, which is likely to be spread out across the South West.

The saving across the region is expected to be a “negligible” £64,000 a year – well below the £90,000 annual saving for each fire authority which was projected in a Government report in 2005.

It said the scheme would mean a saving of £42.3 million over ten years.

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), said the programme's priority was not to save money but to improve “resilience”. It would enable firefighters to operate more safely and effectively.

But Val Hampshire, regional treasurer for the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU), said: “Originally, it was about savings, but they suddenly realised what it would all cost, so they changed the focus to 'resilience'. But it won't be any more resilient than we are now.”

Ms Hampshire, who has 22 years' experience as a control operator, added: “It's not going to be better – the whole thing is a disgrace.”

Mark Prisk, shadow minister for enterprise and shadow minister for Cornwall, said during a visit to the county yesterday: “This scheme was originally based on a clear promise to save taxpayers' money. If the savings are not what was originally pledged, why should people accept a weaker service?”

The figures are in a report to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority and will be presented to a meeting next Wednesday. Treasurer Kevin Woodward said the savings across the South West were “negligible”. He added: “It's effectively cost-neutral. The reality may in fact be that there is a small cost, it's that much in the margin.

“These figures are only estimates. It will only be when the control centre is up and running in 2009 that we will get a more realistic assessment of what the costs will be.”

The authority will discuss its preferred option to share the £6.8 million annual running costs of the new centre at the meeting.

A DCLG spokeswoman said the national picture was that some regional centres would generate savings while others were likely to cost more. None would lose out because of a £5.5 million cash pot to ensure they all broke even.

She added: “The new regional business case shows that under the new fire control network, everyone in the country will benefit from the full suite of improved protection and firefighters can do their difficult job more safely and effectively.”

Fire minister Parmjit Dhanda said: “The Government is right to invest in this nationally important project, as well as the specialist equipment and interoperable communications, which will give everyone in England the services of a resilient fire and rescue service rather than just a few.”