“Conservative PCC should concentrate on making our streets safer” Cllr Glynane

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Official Opposition expressed surprise and concern over chaotic announcements from County Hall Conservatives and the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner on a potential merger between the Police and Fire service.

Cllr Glynane said "This is potentially a massive change. We are talking about frontline services that save people's lives. Any changes need to be well thought through, properly consulted on and planned carefully."

"Instead what we got was a bizarre and chaotic announcement, apparently at the same time as the Cabinet Member for Fire Services was in a public meeting of Cabinet and did not mention this at all! Our Conservative PCC has claimed that discussions have been going on for months, but nothing has mentioned at all at the Police and Crime Panel. You'd think that with something this important no stone would be left unturned."

"Our Conservative PCC was not elected to run the Fire Service, or any other blue light service. This is an attempted political takeover of emergency services by a Conservative politician who has absolutely no right to do so."

"Given that his priorities so far as Police Commissioner have been to choose gimmicks and high-paid jobs for his campaign team over funding an extra 45 police officers perhaps he should concentrate on trying to make our streets safer by investing in frontline policing and convincing his former Tory masters at County Hall to switch back on our streetlights."

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