Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider Crewe Fire station second pump proposals

Cheshire East Council’s corporate overview and scrutiny committee has invited members of the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Fire Brigades Union to their meeting on Thursday 11 January 2018 to discuss proposed changes to the second fire pump at Crewe Fire Station. The proposals would mean that the second fire pump at Crewe would be downgraded from full-time to on-call only.  The committee first considered these changes at their meeting on 7 September 2017.
The meeting, which is open to the public, begins at 2pm and is at Westfields, Sandbach.

Councillor Margaret Simon, chairman of the committee and councillor for Wistaston said: “We first discussed Crewe’s second pump at corporate scrutiny’s September 2017 meeting and, because of its importance to the South Cheshire East area, the committee agreed to return the issue in the New Year before any decision was taken at Cheshire Fire Authority. 

“We also made a commitment to invite representatives from both Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Fire Brigades Union to come and address our meeting. This is an important issue for Crewe and the surrounding area. We need to fully understand the proposals and the potential impact that any changes might have on community safety.  This is not a party political matter. The committee has cross-party representation and members are determined to support the interests of residents.”

Councillor Mo Grant, vice-chairman and councillor for Crewe North said: “There are clearly local concerns about these proposals. This committee and Cheshire East residents need to be reassured that safety will not be compromised. We are keen to work with and support the fire authority, while ensuring that residents continue to have the required level of service.”

Councillor Janet Clowes, cabinet member for community safety, said: “The pressures on public sector funding across all local services are well known.  All agencies are having to look into potential savings and clearly the fire and rescue service is no exception. However, this council, through this committee, has a role to play in scrutinising decisions that may affect services to the public that they represent.”