Single Scottish fire service bill introduced

From info4fire

Single Scottish fire service bill introduced - 18 January 2012 Kenny MacAskill, Scottish cabinet secretary for Justice.

The Scottish Government have today announced a huge proposed reform of Scottish fire and rescue services that will mean the creation of a single combined department. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill says that the move will bring local services to the heart of communities, but critics fear that it will mean less accountability at a local level.

Under the plans, which will also create a single unified Police Service of Scotland, the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be established with a Chief Officer overseeing designated local fire officers for each local authority area. The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill will create stronger ties between the fire service and local authorities, as senior officers will have to have their local plan for rescue services approved by the council, giving many more councillors a say in the running of their local service than at present.

The service will be independent, with no operational control by government, but still subject to Parliamentary scrutiny from ministers. “Stark reality” of budget cuts from Westminster Mr MacAskill launched the bill at an event in Galashiels where he cited “budget cuts from Westminster” as one of the key reasons for the reform.

He said, "This Government will not be complacent, we will not compromise on public safety and we will make sure that every community is served and served well. “The reasons for reform are clear. We need to make a virtue of necessity. Make no mistake – this is the only way to make sure that we don’t lose the major improvements made to police and fire and rescue services in recent years. “We have devised the strongest possible plans for the future of police and fire services in Scotland which reduce duplication, not the quality of vital services, and deliver estimated efficiency savings of £1.7 billion over 15 years.

Today’s publication of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill follows two consultations and many months of sustained, regular engagement with police, fire and escue services, boards, authorities and other interested parties.”