Tories Accused of “Selling Out” County on Fire Service Cuts

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Tories Accused of "Selling Out" County on Fire Service Cuts

The Tories on Leicestershire County Council have been accused of "Selling Out" the County after they passed a motion calling for special treatment for the City.

There has been huge controversy over cuts proposed to the Fire Service across the County that would remove 11 of the 30 Fire Engines and close two Fire Stations, including the busy Central station. These cuts have progressed through the Fire Authority due to the votes of both Conservative and Labour councillors on the Combined Fire Authority.

The Conservative-run Cabinet on Leicestershire County Council passed a motion supporting the cuts, but asking for special mitigation measures for the service within the City. It is suspected that the special treatment of the City is in order to keep the support of Labour Mayor Peter Soulsby whose vote is needed for the cuts to go ahead.

Cllr Stuart Bray said: "It was bad enough that the Tories were pushing these cuts on the County Fire Service, ignoring safety warnings from frontline fire fighters and retired managers, but now they're willing to make special exceptions for the City? Just to keep the City Mayor's support?"

"Don't get me wrong - I'm against the closure of Central station, but it needs to be part of a plan to protect the fire service across the County as a whole, not special favours being given to the City at the expense of the County!"