Darren Johnson, Green London Assembly Member, has questioned the Coservative London Mayor Boris Johnson on cuts that will lead to the closure of up to 30 fire stations.
Darren Johnson, Green AM, has questioned the
Mayor over cuts to Fire Stations
He asked the Mayor “Will you revise your budget guidance to LFEPA in the light of the decision taken by Authority members that the scale of the cuts proposed is unacceptable?”
This follows a meeting of the London Fire & Emergency Authority on 27th September, during which the Budget update report was amended aften concluding that the scale of cuts was unacceptable. The amended budget report stated:
“The Authority is of the opinion that the scale of cuts expected by the Mayor is unacceptable and that in light of the costs referred to above will lead to the closure of up to 30 fire stations and the loss of up to 30 pumping appliances, with consequent reduction in attendance times and impact on public safety.”
Darren Johnson commented: “The Fire Commissioner has done his best to reduce the costs of back office functions and services, but has clearly reached the point where front line service cuts are the only option. I welcome the decision of the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority to protect the service from draconian cuts. I hope the Mayor will now rethink his decision.”