Kemptown MP Kirby appeals to Fire Authority

Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown & Peacehaven has called on the chairman of the Fire Authority chairman to reconsider fire cover cuts.

He has written to Philip Howson, chairman of the East Sussex Fire Authority and Councillor for Peacehaven and Telscombe Cliffs regarding the proposals of East Sussex Fire Authority to reduce the fire engine cover in Brighton leaving East Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs and Peacehaven possibly vulnerable given the operating hours of the Newhaven Fire Station.

In his letter, Simon said that he is very concerned that the East Sussex Fire Authority has not thought through the implications of its proposed cuts to services in the Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency.

He said: “Brighton is a dense and urban city and is due to expand, given the numbers of homes that are to be built over the next few years. Reducing fire engine cover is dangerous in my view. The Authority is citing that the numbers of emergency calls to the Fire Authority have declined and used this to justify fire engine cover. However, it is the severity of fires that is important not just the number of people phoning the Fire Service.

“I am also concerned that the way in which the Newhaven Fire Station will be operating could leave East Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs and Peacehaven with cover that is unpredictable, potentially endangering residents. This is particularly concerning for the elderly and young families.

“I have asked the Authority to look at the matter again and to consider reducing back office costs, working with other authorities on shared services to lower costs and not assume reductions in services are automatically necessary, especially after a recent increase in Council Tax.

“I have also written to the Fire Services Minister, asking for this issue to be looked at by officials.”

He added: ‘The Fire Authority is hitting residents hard with proposed cuts in services and increases in Council Tax. They need to find a better way.”