Fire Service – cuts, changes and concerns

We understand that the closure of Ramsbury Fire Station is now under review. New proposals have been drawn up – following consultation and an injection of funding – that have reversed the earlier planned cuts. The seven other stations scheduled for closure are likely also to stay open. These plans are due for discussion – and ratifiction? – at a meeting of the Dorset & Wilts Fire and Rescue Authority on 30 June.

This change has been partly due to a one-off payment oof £1.8m from Central Government which, as noted by Andy Cole, Chief Fire Officer for Dorset & Wilts Fire and Rescue – does not ‘resolve the Authority’s long-term financial position’. So this short term change is no guarantee of insulation against any such future cut. In a recent statement Chief Officer Cole noted that this reversal of plans is subject to;

1. the Authority being granted flexibility to raise council tax precept to at least the national average for fire services for 2027/28,
2. the subsequent approval of the council tax precept rise by the Authority at its meeting in February 2027; and
3. there are no other and further reductions in funding

Should these conditions not be met the Fire Authority agree that all eight fire stations will be closed.

Here in Marlborough, whilst there are no plans to close the station here is concern about the facilities available – and recruitment – going forwards. We understand that one appliance has been withdrawn from Marlborough use. At last night’s (Monday 22 June) meeting of the Full Town Council a (written) question was asked by one of the team at the station (no name disclosed at the meeting) about the Council’s response to the cut of the appliance and support for this station going forward, particularly in relation to recruitment of new team members. Mayor Mark Luson said that he was minded to strongly support employers in Marlborough in releasing their personnel to go to become volunteer firefighters.

Former Mayor and Councillor Nick Fogg observed: “Historically, the Fire Brigade was attached to Marlborough College” and asked if the College could help regarding recruitment. Cllr Abi Beaumont noted that a lot of the volunteer firefighters in Marlborough do work at the college, mainly from the Estate’ teams rather than from teaching groups. She also added that ‘there had only been four incidents so far this year’.

Going forwards…… We understand – from media and expert comment – that the demands on the Fire Service everywhere will likely increase significantly over coming years. The nature of the climate is changing and – as we are currently experiencing – greater heat and extended dry periods create times of greater risk, with wildfires, crop fires etc. This is made more likely due to the dryness, but also due to the increase in usage of batteries, particularly Lithium Ion batteries – and their charging. It is believed that the very recent severe fire at the Compton Bassett landfill site was due to battery disposal and this is not the first such incident, and around the country numerous house fires have been due to such items being charged – vapes, e-scooters, e-bikes and more. Even the recent major fire in Glasgow that almost took out the main station was caused by a faulty battery in a small adjacent vape shop. Every ‘shout’ can save far more money than the ongoing cost of maintaining the service necessary to deal with such incidents. The Fire and Rescue Service is a vital ‘safety net’ – the cost of maintaining the services may be significant, but the cost (financial and human) of not doing so is potentially of an infinitely greater magnitude.