The proposed merger of the Wiltshire and Dorset Fire and Rescue Services will go out to public consultation this summer – and no decision will be taken before September 2014.
The proposal, first reported by MNO in December last year, has been caused by government imposed cuts which have left the Wiltshire service with a hole in its finances of between £3.1m and £3.9m a year – against annual costs of £25m.
This shortfall in funding has to be resolved by 2018. The two services have been developing a business case for the merger which would bring savings on back office functions.
The consultation will begin on June 16 and last until August 24. Details of the plan will only be published when the consultation starts.
http://www.marlboroughnewsonline.co.uk/news/news-in-brief/2449-two-county-fire-services-plan-to-merge-in-the-wake-of-government-funding-cuts
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