Halton backs for Cheshire Fire and Rescue’s budget plan

Mar 31 2011 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service’s blueprint for its work in Halton has been approved by councillors after consultation revealed broad public support for the plans.

At a meeting last week at the service’s headquarters in Winsford, members of Cheshire Fire Authority unanimously approved the plan.

They heard that almost 90% of the 364 residents from Halton and the rest of Cheshire who responded to the consultation either ‘support’ or ‘strongly support’ the plan overall.

The service needs to save £2.5m over the next two years by reviewing business functions, targeting community safety work and placing a greater focus on road safety.

Paul Hancock, chief fire officer, said: “We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to our consultation and are now preparing to implement the strategy from April.

“We are facing some challenging times but we believe our plan effectively balances the need to save money, while maintaining a strong focus on the safety of our communities and firefighters.”