AM concern as fire authority holds extraordinary meeting

Llanelli AM Keith Davies has said he will raise concerns over changes to crewing arrangements at the towns fire station, with the minister with responsibility for the service in Cardiff Bay.

A rash of urgent questions prevented Mr Davies’ original question to the First Minister from being called last week, but the AM has vowed to raise local concerns on the national agenda.

Keith Davies AM said: “The extraordinary meeting has raised some serious concerns over the decision making process and the perception raised by some members of the Authority who feel that certain matters are beyond their control.

“What is important is that members feel empowered to make independent decisions with a strong focus on the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services. Members should ensure that if service change is needed, then all options considered in the best interests of staff and the general public.”

“It is a shame that the Plaid Cymru leader of the rainbow coalition who hold the balance of power on the Authority brought politics into this, and rather than using the meeting to open up the opportunity for further negotiation, they have backed the Chief Fire Officer’s position. As Labour Councillor Calum Higgins mentioned in his address at the meeting industrial relations between fire-fighters and management have been hurt by the manner in which these changes have been introduced. If such decisions can be taken in Llanelli, then there is no suggestion that a similar style of negotiation won’t prevail over planned changes to crewing arrangements later this year in Swansea Bay.”

“I intend to raise these issues with the Local Government Minister, Lesley Griffiths in the Assembly this week.”