MP to meet minister over fire authority cash funding

MPs from across the region have been campaigning for the revision of a national funding formula, which they claim are placing local fire-fighters' jobs at risk and leaving the county seriously disadvantaged.

Easington MP John Cummings is to seize on the opening of the Peterlee Fire Station on October 10 to secure a meeting with the minister responsible for the Fire Service, Dr Alan Whitehead.

In accordance with Government directives, County Durham and Darlington Fire Authority has introduced a whole raft of measures to cut down on blaze deaths and injuries and all fire calls, including hoaxes.

Its resulting success, however, has perversely led to a marked reduction in its funding.

In other words, said Mr Cummings: "It has been penalised for its own success.''

In addition, he said: "There are very real concerns that the current funding formula does not adequately reflect other pressures on the service.''

Recent statistics, he said, "clearly showed that there was a close link between the number of fire calls and social deprivation".

He added: "The Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade is among the best in the country. It is important that it is given the resources to continue to provide the best possible level of service.

"East Durham, along with parts of Derwentside and Wear Valley, carry a greater risk of fire than the more affluent parts of the south-east of the country. This should be recognised in the national funding allocations.''

Mr Cummings will also take the opportunity of his meeting with the minister to outline the additional problem facing the authority over the funding of pensions for retired firefighters.

He said pensions soak up 21 per cent of the authority's revenue budget, a figure which is expected to increase due to "the age profile of the brigade".

He said he would be urging the backing of new options including the establishment of separate fire service pension funds.