The Home Office has today agreed the governance arrangements of Staffordshire’s Fire and Rescue Service should become the responsibility of Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
The Government’s decision is the result of an independent and in-depth business case developed with the PCC’s office, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Staffordshire Police. The practical changes will start to happen over the coming weeks and months.
It will mean Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority, which is made up of 21 councillors from Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council, will cease to exist in due course.
Staffordshire’s PCC Matthew Ellis said:
‘The change to governance and oversight will not affect frontline operations of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Officers and staff should not be unduly worried – it’s entirely business as usual.
‘This is an opportunity to further improve the way the police and the fire service work together and to ensure more of the funding available goes to frontline services.
‘Staffordshire is a large and diverse county and it’s important the future for both services is financially more secure with a period of stability to get on with the difficult jobs they do.
‘I’m sure everyone would want to thank the various City Councillors and County Councillors for their time on the Fire and Rescue Authority.’
The PCC’s office will soon start a series of engagement events with officers and staff and also publish outline plans for the new arrangements.
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