18/12/07

SUPPORTING DORSET FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

Sir John Butterfill, formed part of a delegation on Tuesday 18th December, 2007, to see Parmjit Dhanda, the Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government with responsibility for the Fire Service.

The delegation, which also included fire authority chiefs and other local MPs, warned the Minister that Dorset would face severe cutbacks unless more cash was forthcoming. 

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service received one of the lowest Government funding settlements in the country with a 1% increase in the next financial year, 0.5% in 2009/10 and 1% the year after.

John is worried that the settlement could mean fewer fire engines or even station closures.

During the meeting, the Minister pledged that he would look into Dorset’s concerns but he made no promises of extra funding.