There is a ongoing conversation regarding the Police and Crime Commissioner in Essex subsuming the Essex Fire Authority, in effect a merger. This will ensure the one person will be responsible for two of the emergency services in Essex. I remind everyone that this is a political role.
This change is being driven by
the Government's agenda of cuts. Whilst operational reasons are being put
forward, it comes down to money. I do not believe that this is the sort of cut
desired by most of Southend-on-Sea's residents.
Austerity measures has not
prevented the Government racking up record-breaking debt, so just what is
austerity achieving?
The backdrop is of a rise in
crime. Using the British Crime Survey's basket of crimes we are witnessing a
near 10% rise in reported crimes. I am far from convinced that making
governance more remote will help tackle crime, and this certainly diminishes
democratic oversight. Residents I speak to want to influence policing
decisions, and they do this through their elected representatives. They also
want to be assured of their safety - wanting the Police and a Fire Service that
responds to their needs. I do not understand how a merger of police and fire
satisfies these wishes.
There are also issues with the
cuts to the Fire Service, and more cuts to come will be a challenge. It is a
good job that the roads in Essex are getting less busy (sic). The current governance via the
EFA works, tinkering with this to satisfy a Government intent on diminishing
public service is a recipe for disaster.
Workforce moral in both the
Police and Fires Service is acknowledge to be at an all-time low. That these
two blue-light services often cooperate is no reason to allow political influence
to grow. This is a move motivated not by the needs of a growing Essex, it is
motivated by a political agenda, and it is wrong.
The transfer is scheduled
for October 2017.
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