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STABBED IN THE BACK!

The decision to reduce Goole's fire services to one full-time crew and one retained crew has been described as a disaster for the community and a 'Judas betrayal' of the town.

Fire services will be cut back after members of Humberside Fire Authority voted on Friday to reduce them to one full-time pump crew and one retained crew.

The vote was tied at 9-9, which meant the chair of the authority, Cllr Doreen Engall from Holme on Spaldng Moor, had the casting vote. She voted in favour of the cut-backs.

The cuts come as part of the fire authority's 2008-2011 strategic plan to slash its budget.

Goole Town Councillor Keith Moore said: "It's a disaster for the community of Goole and the firefighters of Goole, because without doubt it will compromise the lives of the community. I have been a resident of Goole for 30 years and I have never seen the community united so strongly over something."

Goole MP Ian Cawsey described the decision of the Humberside Fire Authority to downgrade the Goole Fire Station as a "Judas betrayal" of the area by the people supposed to be representing it.

Mr Cawsey said: "I am incandescent with anger over this decision. It is probably the worst decision affecting our area in all the time I've been the local MP.

Town betrayed

"But what I cannot even begin to understand is how we were stabbed in the back by those supposed to be representing us. The Fire Authority is made up of councillors from the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, so we knew we didn't have a majority. However, it was councillors from other areas that supported us, our councillors failed to vote for Goole and I can describe that as no less than a Judas betrayal of the town.

"As the town's MP I do try to keep out of the local party politics but on this occasion it is impossible not to comment on the fact that it was East Riding Conservative and Lib Dem councillors that voted to downgrade our fire station. And only Labour voted entirely to support Goole.

"So we'll hear no more weasel words of support from local Tories and Lib Dems on this and they need shed no more crocodile tears. They have completely let us down, left us with a poorer fire service and so at a time that Goole grows, our fire service shrinks. We'll let that be on their conscience."

He added: "I've already been contacted by local people who think these councillors had already made their minds up before discussing the merits of it. This is called 'pre-determination' and we are already taking advice as to whether this applies in this case and therefore could be reconsidered."

Prospective Conservative MP Andrew Percy agreed with Mr Cawsey, stating that he believed that Goole had been stabbed in the back by the East Riding representatives. He said: "It is frankly bizarre that the East Riding councillors voted to support a cut that will actually damage the very people they represent.

"The decision defies all logic and we must continue the fight against the cuts. The changes in the crewing arrangements can only take effect if the brigade can recruit enough retained firefighters.

"Let's hope they cannot and that the Fire Authority is again forced to look at this decision."

Paul Robinson, ward councillor for Howdenshire, added: "This decision will have a detrimental effect on fire and rescue provision for Goole, Howden and Howdenshire residents, who despite many signing petitions, writing letters and campaigning, are now faced with the likelihood of having to suffer from longer response times in the event of a fire or accident.

"I can only assume Cllr Engall, who along with myself represents Howdenshire, in using her casting vote to reduce the fire cover in Goole has been listening to a whole different set of people. I can neither support nor condone her decision, and I firmly disassociate myself from it. I can only hope she is not left to regret her stance on this issue."

It was also decided at the authority meeting on Friday to close the retained station at Sledmere near Driffield. However, it was voted that Immingham West Station, Kirton in Lindsey Station and Waltham Station all remain as they are.

Frank Duffield from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service pointed out that he believed the decision to support some of the proposals would enable the service to improve in a number of key areas.

He said: "The safety of the community and our firefighters is paramount and over the next three years the public can be assured that we will endeavour to continue to provide value for money and the professional service the people of the four unitary areas deserve, however as growth is contingent on acceptance of all the proposals made, the service will need to review which strategies are now achievable in the future.

"I will be reporting to the Fire Authority in due course on these issues."

Despite numerous suggestions that the decision was based on political values, Cllr Doreen Engall stated: "When I'm here [on the authority] I do not wear a political hat. I am here to be a good member, not to be political.

"I am not disappointed by the decisions but surprised by one or two. I am here to listen to members and the decisions are taken in an objective manner. It was a difficult decision but we have made the conclusions now."

Published on 31st July 2008 in News.

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