A Bad Day for Warwickshire - Lib Dems deplore decision to close three Fire Stations

9.24.54pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Jul 2010

Liberal Democrat councillors joined forces with Labour members of Warwickshire County Council today in a joint bid to stop the Conservative Cabinet's proposal to close three Warwickshire Fire Stations - Brinklow, Studley and Warwick. Their combined amendment debated at today's crucial County Council meeting would have maintained all nineteen current fire stations, while providing alternative ways of financing the other aspects of the improvement plan put forward by the Chief Fire Officer.

In a recorded vote, and despite members of all parties having a free vote rather than having to follow a party whip, the Labour/Lib Dem amendment was defeated by 33 votes to 22.

The Council then voted to approve the Conservative closure plan by 34 votes to 22.

After the vote the Lib Dem group leader Cllr Jerry Roodhouse (Rugby Eastlands & Hillmorton) said:

"This was a bad day for Warwickshire. The Conservatives decided to ignore the clear voice of the vast majority of the 50,000+ residents in last year's consultation process who opposed any fire station closures.

"What we saw today in the council chamber from the Conservatives was tribal politics at its worst. There was no attempt over the last 12 months to engage the opposition parties in any constructive debate about the future of the Fire Service. The ruling group has reached its decisions behind closed doors.

"We deplore the decision to close the Fire Stations at Brinklow, Studley and Warwick, and our hearts go out to the local fire fighters and residents of those communities who will be feeling badly let down by the County Council today."

Cllr John Whitehouse (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Abbey), the recently-appointed chair of the new Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee, said:

"During today's debate the Conservative Cabinet member made a number of pledges about the way the closure plan will be implemented, and key dependencies affecting timing decisions. My committee must and will hold the Executive to account in honouring these pledges, so that the safety of Warwickshire residents remains paramount throughout what will be a difficult and extended period of major upheaval and change for our Fire & Rescue Service."