LIB DEMS CALL FOR FIRE AUTHORITY FUNDING

Liberal Democrats across the region have thrown their support behind the campaign to get the Government to restore full funding to Cleveland Fire Authority.

The recently agreed local government financial settlement for 2008-2011 has resulted in government funding for Cleveland Fire Authority being slashed and raises serious concerns over whether the local fire service can continue to provide an adequate emergency service.

At last night’s (Wednesday) Stockton Council meeting, the Liberal Democrat group put forward a motion calling on the Government to restore funding to the service

Councillor Maureen Rigg, who proposed the motion, spoke after the meeting on the real impact of the funding cuts.

“Cleveland fire service covers not only an area of high-density housing but also high-risk industry, and in places the boundary between the two is simply wooden fencing.

“We are calling on the restoration of full funding to the fire service because we believe that the funding cuts amount to a serious increase in fire risk for local people and property. “

Fiona Hall added her weight to the campaign.

“The Borough of Stockton-on-Tees is densely populated and has a number of COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazard) sites which back onto residential areas. I fully support this local Liberal Democrat campaign to restore full funding to the local fire service and will be helping in any way I can.”