MPs from across Worcestershire and Herefordshire today stepped in to help as Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service put its case to the government. Fire Chief, Mark Yates, and fire authority treasurer, Martin Reorhorn, came to Westminster to meet with local government minister Bob Neill MP to discuss how the Comprehensive Spending Review will affect local fire services. They were supported by local MPs keen to ensure that H+W receives a fair settlement later in the year when the grants are distributed.
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service receive the smallest grant per capita of all the fire authorities and as a result have one of the lowest percentages of expenditure by grant of the 30 fire authorities. Because of this, local residents have one of the highest fire precepts at 112% of the average (£65.86).
Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest said: “We are very lucky to be served by Hereford and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service. This is a service that provides an extremely good service and runs a very lean operation.
“But in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review that means there is very little fat to trim from their budget. My colleagues and I are keen to make sure that central government realise this when the grants are decided. It is vital that in the rural area that they serve, HWFR receive all the support they need to maintain their excellent service.”
In 2009, HWFR was awarded three out of a possible four points in all scores for organisational assessment.