Local Conservatives launch campaign for fairer fire funding
23rd March 2010
Newton Abbot Conservatives were out in force at the weekend, collecting signatures for their petition for fairer funding of local fire services.
DOWNLOAD PETITION and return to Templer House, 2 Sandford Orleigh, Orleigh Park, Newton Abbot TQ12 2SQ.
Over 600 people signed up to back the campaign in Teignmouth and Newton Abbot on Saturday, and Kingsteignton on Sunday.
Local fire fighters in Devon and Somerset have just £18.16 per head of population to work with, despite manning 82 stations. Other regions where there are less stations are receiving more money. One urban area, where there are only 26 stations, receives £34.5 per head.
The disparity arises because sparsity of population isn’t recognised as a factor in Formula Grant calculations for Fire and Rescue services. This is despite other Formula Grant calculations, such as those for Education, Social Services and Police having sparsity recognised as a factor.
Running a fire service in a largely rural area like Devon incurs extra costs because of the distance travelled to attend call outs, the large turnover of staff associated with a largely retained fire service, and flooding.
Devon and Somerset Fire Authority are asking for a settlement that takes sparsity of population into consideration.
Prospective Conservative MP for Newton Abbot, Anne Marie Morris said:
“The way the settlement is worked out is very unfair. We believe sparsity should be recognised as a factor. If elected as the next Member of Parliament for Newton Abbot, I will lobby to change the current system.”
Photo: Anne Marie Morris and local Conservatives gathering signatures in Teignmouth's Triangle
