12th March 2008

The Labour group has today formally published a motion opposing recommendations made by Humberside Fire and Rescue services.

The motion will be discussed and debated at a special meeting that will follow the full council meeting next Wednesday. North Lincolnshire Council has previously held two meetings where representatives of the fire service and the Fire Brigades Union have outlined their arguments for and against modernisation proposals which could include closing a fire station in Kirton Lindsey.

After hearing evidence from both sides the Labour group called for a special meeting to discuss the issue further and, in a motion to be put before the meeting, will make clear the council should not support all the recommendations.

Cllr Steve Swift, Labour group secretary, who will propose the motion, said: “After listening to both the Chief Fire Officer and the Fire Brigades Union at special meetings held in the council chamber, Labour feels uneasy over conflicting information used throughout the consultation period. We are also concerned about the impact on communities in North Lincolnshire if the proposals go ahead. This is why we will formally propose the council does not support the Chief Fire Officer’s recommendations.”

Cllr Mark Kirk, Labour leader of the council, said: “It was important to listen to both sides of the story and come to our own conclusions. The debates were passionate and there are strong feelings on the subject from both sides. Labour feels there appears to be little evidence of any advantages to service delivery and the disadvantages appear to outweigh the benefits. We will be calling for a free vote with no whip and I hope our motion will receive cross party support and, for once, we can put political point scoring to one side.”