CHESHIRE'S police and crime panel is to hold a special meeting to discuss a government proposal which could see the police commissioner oversee the fire and rescue service.

A paper on Friday’s (June 24) agenda referred to a government consultation on reforming the fire and rescue service.

Cheshire East Council officer Martin Smith told the police and crime panel: “One of the key areas in here, and it's perhaps one of the less high profile recommendations or areas of consultation, is about the governance of fire and rescue services, which could lead to police and crime commissioners becoming responsible for their services as, indeed, is the case in some parts of the country at the moment.

“I'm conscious this is quite a sensitive issue. There will be different views from fellow members about the governance arrangements for the fire and rescue service and this is a good opportunity for the panel to make its views known to the government.”

At present Cheshire Fire Authority (CFA) oversees Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS).

The authority is made up of 23 councillors in total from Cheshire West & Chester, Cheshire East, Halton Borough Council, and Warrington Borough Council.

It is a separate legal body, with the power to set council tax and to set its own policies and procedures, without seeking the approval of those local councils.

The role of the fire authority is to set the annual budget; agree the staff, vehicle and other resources needed to deliver an efficient service and approve CFRS’ plans, policies and strategies.

Cllr Gina Lewis (CWAC) who declared an interest as a member of CFA, told the police and crime panel: “The fire authority is discussing this particular paper on July 28 as a whole fire authority and the police commissioner is invited to those meetings, is present at them.“

She added: “Perhaps if the police commissioner cannot attend, something might be done about the deputy attending so that at least he has an opportunity to hear what the fire authority has to say about this particular paper.”

Cllr Paul Findlow (CEC) said Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer’s views on this were not known but it was important the panel responded properly to the consultation.

Northwich Guardian:

Cllr Paul Findlow

“I think it is important this time, where we're down to the real nitty gritty of what's going to happen, if there is a future as it's currently constituted for the fire and rescue authority, we really ought to be in a position to make a proper consideration and a proper submission in response to the consultation because it would change the nature of this panel altogether if it were to go through and the commissioner were to bid for taking over the fire and rescue authority jurisdiction,” said Cllr Findlow.

“I was going to ask the commissioner, unfortunately he' s unwell today, if he had in mind if he was contemplating making a submission to assume jurisdiction and responsibility for the fire and rescue service or not, so we don't quite know what the position is there.”

The panel decided to hold a special meeting to discuss how to respond to the consultation.