Nancy Platts the Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven is furious that in a time of austerity when cuts are being made to fire services in East Sussex, The East Sussex Fire Authority has invited councillors on the Authority to a conference that includes a dinner and overnight stay at a golfing and spa resort.
Nancy said: “I have today written to the Chief Fire Officer expressing my concern that Councillors on East Sussex Fire Authority have been invited to a conference that includes a dinner and overnight stay at Wyboston Lakes, a golfing and spa resort. It is clearly outrageous that taxpayers money can be spent like this at a time when front line services are being cut in Brighton and Hove and we were told there were no alternatives to losing our fire engine and 24 firefighters.
“Labour councillors on the Fire Authority voted against the cuts and have told the Chief Officer that they will not be attending because they are “most concerned at the cost element for attending, travel, hotels, food etc”
“The views of thousands of local people were recently ignored by the majority of Fire Authority members who voted for the cuts to our fire service. Those same councillors now seem set to enjoy a luxury night away at the taxpayer’s expense. I am sure that local people will feel angry and let down that scarce public funds could be spent in this way. I call on Councillors from other political parties not to attend this event and instead work out how they can save frontline fire services in Brighton and Hove.”
Brighton and Hove Conservatives have confirmed to Gscene that the two local Conservative Councillors representing the City on the Authority, Cllr Carole Theobald and Cllr Garry Peltzer Dunn will not be attending the event.
The Greens Party have also confirmed their representatives on the ESFA will not be attending.
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