In the last decade, there has been a forty two per cent reduction in fire and rescue attendance at incidents, fire fatalities are thirty per cent lower and non-fatal hospital casualties fifty five per cent fewer, both reaching record lows.  These statistics confirm fire and rescue authorities are making sensible savings whilst continuing to provide an excellent front line service.

Northumberland Conservatives in general recognize the need in our county for measured efficiency savings which are there to deal with the perceived risks that we see today. The main issue that we have with the current proposals from Northumberland County Council is in our objection to the closure of the fire station at Haydon Bridge. A fire station which is valued by that local community and protects life and limb along a very dangerous section of the A69.

The leader of the Northumberland Conservative group on the County Council, Peter Jackson said

“I’m extremely disappointed that the Labour deputy leader of the council should attempt to play petty party politics with this important issue. It is quite clear that there is ample scope for measures which will make our local fire service more efficient and effective and that is the area he should be concentrating on.

It is clear from the current diktat from the labour run county hall that the main thrust of these changes is being applied to the more rural areas of our county, whilst Ashington and Blyth yet again get off scot-free. How can local labour plead poverty at the county council when they are still bringing forward plans for the unwanted and unnecessary scheme to waste over £40m of tax payers’ money on the new county hall in Ashington.”