LABOUR councillors are being advised to object to fire service cuts proposed by their own party. The county's fire service is facing a 40% cut to its budget over the next four years. As a result, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority – led by Labour – has proposed axing 16 fire engines and lowering the number of stations from 30 to 21. Dozens of firefighters would also lose their jobs. A public consultation on the plans runs until December 23 and, among those taking part in it, is Derbyshire County Council. On Tuesday, its Labour cabinet will meet to decide its response to the proposals – and the authority's chief executive Ian Stephenson is recommending they object. In a report to the cabinet members, Mr Stephenson argues the cuts will "fuel fear" that response times will be slower – and calls on the fire service to share resources with neighbouring counties to drive down costs. He said: "The approach to align and share resources makes services more viable across the board and helps to ensure that local people continue to receive good local provision. "The consultation paper proposes the closure of some relatively new fire stations and their rebuilding on nearby sites, for example at Chesterfield. This is unlikely to be perceived by the public as best value." Mr Stephenson added: "One of the county council's five pledges is for a safer Derbyshire. Although the number of calls for fire emergency services continues to fall, there have been a number of tragic fires in the county recently which have heightened public fears. "Slower response times is likely to further fuel fear." Mr Stephenson said the council recognised the fire service has to meet its budget cuts but called for a re-think as "there are concerns that public safety is being compromised". Derbyshire's Tory leader Councillor Andrew Lewer said it would be "absurd" if Labour county councillors were to object to proposals from their own party. Labour's Paul Bayliss, vice chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority, said members will look at the results of the consultation before determining the service's future.
