To consider report CFO/007/17 of the Chief Fire Officer, advising Members of the decision of Wirral Borough Council’s Planning Committee to refuse planning permission for the building of a new community fire station in Saughall Massie, and to ask Members to note the approach taken by officers in order to deliver the Authority approved station merger proposals as per CFO/058/15.

Members considered Report CFO/007/17 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the decision of Wirral Council’s Planning Committee to refuse planning permission for the building of a new community fire station in Saughall Massie; and the approach taken by officers in order to deliver the Authority approved station merger proposals as per CFO/058/15.

Members were provided with an overview of the report and background information to the merger proposal.

Detail was provided regarding the meeting of Wirral Council’s Planning Committee on 15^th December 2016, at which the planning application was considered; and the procedure followed at that Committee.

Members were informed that as a result of the procedure followed at the meeting, the Chief Fire Officer was not afforded the opportunity to address the Committee or correct factual inaccuracies advanced by a local Ward Councillor during proceedings.

Members were advised that this report addresses those inaccuracies; and they were provided with an overview of each point addressed, as follows:

·         Upton Community Fire Station referred to as a “fall back location”.

The Chief Fire Officer explained that this would be the inevitable outcome should the planning application be refused. However, he stressed that should there be only one station for West Wirral, Upton is not in the best location.

·         Perceived detrimental effect to Arrowe Park Hospital.

The Chief Fire Officer stressed that Arrowe Park Hospital is an extremely well-managed property, with staff employed to focus on fire safety. Responsibility for fire safety therefore rests with the hospital itself, not with MFRA who have a responsibility to the whole of Merseyside. It was explained that fire risk is not managed in the same way within domestic dwellings, where the risk to life from fire is far greater.

·         Comments stating that longer attendance times to West Kirby station area from Upton (rather than Saughall Massie) are acceptable because they would be “within national guidelines”.

The Chief Fire Officer reiterated that there are no national guidelines. The only relevant national guidelines are those set out within the Integrated Risk Management Plan Guidance note issued by Government in 2004, in which the reduction of life risk incidents is at the top of the hierarchy, well above the safeguarding of the environment. The guidance is also clear that all sections of society should be treated fairly and equitably.

·         Comments regarding the reduction in the number of incidents and the higher volume of incidents in Upton.

The Chief Fire Officer explained that the volume of incidents in both station areas is low, with the Upton area being “less quiet”. He stressed that although the likelihood of incidents is low, the severity of an incident would be equally high for both areas.

·         Moving the station two minutes nearer to West Kirby would move it two minutes further away from Upton

Members were advised that the Saughall Massie Road site is within the Upton station ground area; and moving it nearer to West Kirby would still result in average attendance times of five minutes to areas such as Woodchurch. It was stressed again, that in order to make the required savings, there is nothing that can be done which would not have a detrimental impact.

·         References to Thingwall, Irby and Pensby being negatively affected by the planning application.

The Chief Fire Officer informed Members that these areas fall within the Heswall station area and therefore initial response would be unaffected to these areas.

The options open to the Authority were highlighted to Members, the first being to accept the planning decision and close West Kirby fire station.

It was noted that given the Authority’s experiences with the closure of Allerton fire station, this is likely to be the far easier option.

However, to do so would be to accept the logic of the planning committee, which if followed through, would indicate that only Bromborough and Upton fire stations need to be retained on the Wirral to achieve a 10 minute attendance standard to life risk incidents on 90% of occasions.

The Chief Fire Officer stressed that this is not something that he would recommend and that is not what the vast majority of Wirral residents would want.

The other two options open to Members are to submit a revised planning application; and to appeal to the Secretary of State.

Members were informed that the recommendation of Officers is that both of these options are pursued.

The Chief Fire Officer went on to summarise the potential impact of the refusal of the planning application, as detailed in the report, highlighting:

·         Given MFRA cannot continue to crew both Upton and West Kirby fire stations, the proposed station merger would result in the least impact on response times.

·         The potential severity of incidents, demonstrated by the double fatality in West Kirby last year.

·         The relationship between response times and survivability.

·         The powers of a Coroner to make recommendations over preventable deaths; and the requirement for the Authority to demonstrate to a Coroner; and far more importantly, the family of the deceased, that they have done all they could to prevent the death of the individual.

Members were also advised of the predicted costs associated with appealing the decision of the Planning Committee and submitting a revised planning application.

Discussion took place around the report and decision of the Planning Committee, with comments made regarding the requirement for the Authority to do all they can to ensure that everyone across the whole of Merseyside receives parity of service and the fastest response possible. 

Members also discussed the potential to claim back costs of any appeal and producing a revised planning application, from Wirral Council. It was noted that this would not be determined at this point.

Further comments were made regarding the conduct of; and comments made by individuals at the Planning Committee meeting.

Members requested that their thanks be placed on record to all Officers involved for their endeavours in dealing with this matter, highlighting the significant drain on the Authority’s resources and finances it has caused.

Members Resolved that:

a)    The decision of Wirral Borough Council Planning Committee to refuse planning permission for the new community fire station at Saughall Massie, Wirral, be noted.

b)    In order to deliver the Authority approved station merger at Saughall Massie, it be noted that it is the intention of officers to appeal the decision to the Secretary of State via the Planning Inspectorate.

c)    In order to deliver the Authority approved station merger at Saughall Massie, it be noted that it is the intention of officers to submit a revised planning application addressing the specific reasons for refusal.

d)    The possible consequences to the residents of West Wirral as a result of the decision of the Planning Committee, be noted.