Warning that local control is being lost (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Warning that local control is being lost

CREATING a fire control centre for the whole of the south west is an attempt at regional government by the back door.

That is the claim from Swindon Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town & Lawn) who thinks the move is just another example of power being moved away from local people.

And he fears that a regional police control centre could be the next step as regional government is introduced without proper consultation.

"I think this is an example of regional government by the back door," he said. "It is just another step down the road.

"We have seen the Government give powers to the regional assembly for strategic planning and strategic transport. It also has responsibility along with the regional development agency for economic development and for housing.

"It is pushing further and further away from local people the opportunities to influence decisions that affect them."

The Government had intended to introduce regional government in the north east, north west and Yorkshire and the Humber but the plans were put on hold after a referendum in the north east came out against the idea.

But Coun Bawden thinks it is still on the agenda.

"The Government still seems quite determined to have regional government," he said.

"I think it is time that the Government made its position perfectly clear.

"If it wishes to have regional Government it should state it quite clearly.

"This continual giving of powers to a regional structure is being done by the back door."

And the council leader thinks more changes to the fire and police set-ups are on the way. "I predict that we will have a regional fire authority within the next five to 10 years," he said.

"I think they will do the same thing with the police have a regional control centre then say it has worked well, let's have a regional police authority."

Plans to merge the country's 46 fire control rooms into nine regional centres were announced earlier this week.

Under the new scheme people in Swindon who dial 999 in a fire emergency will be directed to an operator more than 70 miles away in Taunton.

The FBU claimed lives could be put at risk due to a lack of local knowledge in larger centres.

The Government hopes the new network of control centres and major investment will help to modernise the fire service and equip it for the demands of the 21st century.