PCC requests control of fire service after consultation shows support

Northamptonshire’s police and crime commissioner has asked the Home Office to allow him to take over the county’s Fire and Rescue Service.

The service is at present run by Northamptonshire County Council, which has supported the proposal. Commissioner Stephen Mold said a public consultation had shown 60.8% of the 1,212 responses received supported his plan. Fire service employees favoured the change with 92% in agreement.

The Policing and Crime Act 2017 allows commissioners to mount a business case for taking over fire services, though does not require them to do so

Mr Mold said: “The governance role is not operational, and the day to day running of the Fire and Rescue Service remains with the chief fire officer.  
“My role is to provide a strong voice for our local communities, holding the chief fire officer to account, and ensuring the public get an effective and efficient service that responds to our county’s needs.

He said the police and fire services already collaborated and would if merged look to more sharing of buildings and support functions and to joint procurement.

Unlike in neighbouring Cambridgeshire and Peterborough - where its commissioner’s bid to take over the fire service has been fiercely opposed by the fire authority - Northamptonshire has welcomed the idea.

A county council spokesman said: “Bringing the fire service under the governance of the PCC will build on the existing collaborations with the police and enable more joined up strategic planning between our local emergency services to better keep communities safe across Northamptonshire.”