Maidenhead & Windsor

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough says it will not give up its fight for the right to run a local fire service that is responsive to residents' needs.

The determination was underlined at last night's Windsor and Maidenhead council meeting (Tuesday 8 December) when members unanimously agreed to make a direct request to the government to vary the Fire Services Act 2004, allowing a Royal Borough Fire and Rescue Service to be established.

They also called on the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority to change its mind about closing Windsor fire station at night.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council's hopes of running a fire service suffered a setback last month when the Local Government Association (LGA) turned down an application under the Sustainable Communities Act (SCA) - the new law that aims to help communities deliver better and more responsive services in their own areas. However, the council's message is: The fight goes on.

Windsor and Maidenhead Council leader David Burbage, who proposed the motion, said: "The LGA's decision was a blow for our residents who have lost faith in the Berkshire service's commitment to our area since they decided on night-time closure at Windsor.

"Residents have made it clear they want the council to run a service that will respond to their needs rather than being part of a bigger area in which Peter is robbed to pay Paul. Unfortunately the LGA as the selector authority for the SCA did not agree.

"We call on the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority to listen to local taxpayers' views and keep Windsor fire station open at night. A reversal of their decision would demonstrate a commitment to our community - the people who pay for the fire service. However, in the meantime we are determined to appeal directly to the government to get a local service for local people."

The LGA refused the borough's bid saying they were concerned the very small size of the proposed authority would make it unviable and felt that it would have implications for the fire service across the rest of the county.

Cllr Christine Bateson, a Windsor and Maidenhead borough representative on the fire authority, said the LGA did not appear to take into account the full range of evidence in favour of a local fire service.

She said: "We were disappointed by the LGA's rejection of what we believe is a very strong proposal. Borough residents have made it clear they support a local fire service that will put their needs first and they should be reassured that we are determined to take the campaign as far as we can."

The council motion also questioned continued membership of the LGA, which acts as an umbrella for local authorities across the country, and asked cabinet to 'consider the benefits'.

Cllr Burbage said: "In light of the LGA's attitude to our submission and the scant regard they appeared to pay to the evidence, we wonder if the annual membership fee is a good use of council taxpayers' money."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead