Last night's meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee considered Dundee City Council's response to the consultation document 'Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/11'Tayside Fire and Rescue. It is this consultation document that includes the proposal to downgrade Balmossie Fire Station. The Policy & Resources Committee heard two deputations. The first deputation from Neil Ritch, Fire Fighter serving at Balmossie and Jim Malone from the Fire Brigades' Union and the second from Fire Chief Stephen Hunter and Depute Fire Chief Alasdair Hay. After a long series of questions to the deputations, the Committee agreed, without a vote, that their response to the consultation would be: issued by "This Committee supports the document 'Towards a Safer Tayside' with the exception of the proposals for Balmossie Fire Station".In last nights debate, Fire Chief Stephen Hunter was apparently unable to convince any Dundee Councillor that it was a good idea to downgrade Balmossie and thereby reduce from eight to seven the number of fire crews and fire engines based in the city and that somehow this cut would enhance community safety in Dundee. Just as I predicted, 'it is inconceivable that any City Councillor should support a reduction in this vital emergency service' (reported in the Courier on Monday), there was cross party support last night to indicate emphatically that Dundee City Council does not support the downgrading of Balmossie Fire Station. I think the change of heart of some Councillors was undoubtedly because of the mounting evidence of significant public opposition; especially the more than 3000 people who have already registered objections. Unfortunately, Councillor Christina Roberts (SNP Dundee East End) Vice Convener of the Fire and Rescue Board did not indicate last night whether she is now persuaded to change her vote when this issue returns to the Tayside Fire and Rescue Board. I think she should publicly clarify her position.
Fire Station and thereby reduce from eight to seven the number of fire crews and fire engines based in the city and that somehow this cut would enhance community safety in Dundee.
While I think the City Council's decision on Monday night is an important milestone in defeating this ill conceived proposal, I don't want constituents to think that they no longer need to bother responding to the 'Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/11' consultation and registering their views. Until the Fire and Rescue Board decide at their March meeting, after the consultation period closes, we cannot assume that our fire and rescue service at Balmossie is safe from the proposed damaging cutbacks.
