A POLICE commissioner is facing mounting pressure to abandon her plans to take control of a fire service after a further council voted to oppose the move.

Richmondshire District Council has followed North Yorkshire County Council in proposing Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan be a member of the fire authority rather than taking control of it.

The unanimous decision by the district council follows Mrs Mulligan launching a public consultation over whether she should take responsibility of the fire service, meaning that the Fire and Rescue Authority will cease to exist as a governing body.

The council’s leader Councillor Yvonne Peacock said it is a “complete step too far” and so a move to the representation model - where Mrs Mulligan would just be a member of the fire authority - needed to be attempted first.

Upper Dales councillor John Blackie said: “When it comes down to it I think Julia feels that she can walk on water. I have never doubted the quality of the fire service and the quick response of them to any incident so there is nothing the PCC could do to make it better than it is.

“I can’t see how she can do anything at all but let’s have her on board to see what she can do.”

Ms Mulligan believes that improved collaboration between the services could save money by sharing sites and resources.

She states that the financial benefits over ten years will amount to £6.6m, which could then be reinvested in frontline staff.

The meeting was one of a series of consultations on the matter with the fire authority and county council having rejected the plans.

Councillor Stuart Parsons said: “She has united everyone against her. She has not been convincing so far and she doesn’t have the confidence of the public.

“The representation model is the least evil for the fire service. It is a pointless action over what is a highly successful service and this vote by councillors should send a message that she has no support.”

The public consultation lasts until Friday, September 22.