At last night’s meeting of Llanelli Rural Council, Independent and Plaid Cymru Councillors voted to defer a motion put forward by Labour Councillors criticising the Fire Authority for cutting the number of Firefighters working at Llanelli Fire Station.
Cllr Bill Thomas, Leader of the Rural Labour Group said “I’m frustrated that none of the Independent and Plaid Cymru Councillors at last night’s meeting wanted to join Labour Councillors in expressing our disappointment that Mid and West Wales Fire Authority cut the number of Fire Fighters in Llanelli by half, and voted against renegotiating a compromise with unions.
“We wanted to show people living in the wards that we represent that we’re not giving up in the fight to keep the best possible fire cover. Instead Independent and Plaid Cymru Councillors have effectively given the management the green light to downgrade our Fire Service.”
Background:
In April, Labour County Councillors from across Mid and West Wales forced an emergency meeting of the Fire Authority. They appealed to all Fire Authority members to back them in condemning cuts at Llanelli fire station and calling for a return to negotiations.
Unfortunately, the people of Llanelli were let down by Plaid Cymru, LibDem, Tory and Independent members of the Fire Authority who voted 12-10 against the Labour councillors. This allowed the Management to press ahead with their plans to halve the number of firefighters at Llanelli Fire Station. It also denied any opportunity for further negotiations between Management and the FBU.
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