Last night saw the six Isle of Wight Cabinet members debate the future of the fire service.
This item was added to the agenda at short notice, following Geoff Lumley’s motion at last week’s full council meeting where he called on councillors to reverse the decision to move the fire control centre to Surrey.
Public questions
Prior to the meeting, Island resident, Steve Goodman, asked on behalf of FBU members (who were unable to attend), why they (the FBU members) had not been consulted on the planned merger.
Cllr Abraham “totally refuted” the claim that the FBU members had not been consulted, adding that they had even sat on a board to discuss the proposals.
For his supplementary question, Mr Goodman asked whether the council had followed EU rules when choosing who to merge with.
Cllr Pugh answered this time, stating that legal advice sought on the tendering process and that all procedures were considered satisfactory.
Presentation of report
Cllr Barry Abraham talked through the report, informing members firstly that the Cabinet for Surrey County Council had this week, voted to accept the merger, which will commence in November 2011.
Cllr Abrahams presented his report (embedded below for your convenience) and the subject was discussed by the other Cabinet members.
All were in agreement that the merger was the “right thing to do”, with Cllr Abraham stressing the importance of a resilient fire service for the Island.
He said that he understood the concerns of members of the FBU, but was adamant that “the merger was the best thing for the Island”.
Vote to vote against motion
All members voted to “Recommend to full council that they vote against the motion to recommend cabinet to reverse the decision to merge fire control with Surrey and therefore to affirm the cabinet decision to merge fire control with Surrey”.
Geoff Lumley’s motion will be debated at the next full council meeting on 20th July.
Click on the full screen icon at the bottom to see a larger version.
