To consider Report CFO/136/13 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning approval, subject to public consultation, for the merger of stations; and incremental changes to crewing resulting in the closure of one or more station, in order to meet the budget cuts faced by the Authority as a result of Government announcements which will impact on the financial plan for 2014-16.

Members considered Report CFO/136/13 of the Chief Fire Officer regarding a consultation on Station Mergers proposed in order to meet budget cuts faced by the Authority as a result of Government announcements which will impact on the financial plan for 2014-16.

There was thorough debate around the recommendations and detail within the report, and the nature of questions which Members may be faced with to address within their own districts.

Councillor Rennie moved a motion, Seconded by Councillor Blackburn: to change the wording within Recommendation 3 of the report to read as follows;

‘That Members give delegated authority to the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) in consultation with the Chair and Party Spokespersons to;’

                      i.        Identify the most suitable merger sites from which to operate whilst ensuring response standards are maintained.

                    ii.        Identify potential partners for joint working.

                   iii.        Undertake the necessary preparatory work around the procurement of appropriate sites in order to expedite the mergers option in the event that Authority approval is confirmed after the public consultation process is concluded.

                   iv.        Submit a bid for resources to support any scheme as appropriate to any available funding sources

Members voted unanimously in favour of the motion to amend the recommendation, on the condition that consultation with Party Spokespersons did not delay the process in any way.

Resolved that:

1.    Members, in order to meet the budget cuts faced  by the Authority as a result of Government announcements which will impact on the financial plan for 2014-16, approve in principle, subject to public consultation;

                      i.        The options presented for the merger of two stations on Wirral (West Kirby to merge with Upton  at within Greasby), two stations in St Helens (Eccleston to merge with St Helens at a site in the St Helens town centre ward) and two stations in Knowsley (the merger of Huyton and Whiston at Prescot which already  has Authority  approval). These mergers, if approved, will deliver a reduction of 66 wholetime equivalent (WTE) posts, reduce the Authority asset base down from 26 stations to 23 and deliver additional savings from a reduction in premises overheads.

                    ii.        The incremental move from wholetime crewing to day crewing to wholetime retained crewing of at least one appliance in Liverpool and/or Sefton, resulting in the closure of one or more stations. This change in crewing and station closure, if approved, will deliver a saving of 22 WTE posts and deliver additional   savings from a reduction in premises overheads.

2.    Members give delegated authority to the Chief Fire Officer in consultation with the Chair and Party Spokespersons to;

                      i.        Identify the most suitable merger sites from which to operate whilst ensuring response standards are maintained.

                    ii.        Identify potential partners for joint working.

                   iii.        Undertake the necessary preparatory work around the procurement of appropriate sites in order to expedite the mergers option in the event that Authority approval is confirmed after the public consultation process is concluded.

                   iv.        Submit a bid for resources to support any scheme as appropriate to any available funding sources

3.    Members approve the associated consultation process.

4.    Reports be brought back on each of the individual mergers as soon as practicable.