Unanimous support for Pontyates fire station at public meeting

At a packed public meeting organised by Plaid Cymru councillors on Llangyndeyrn Community Council this week, residents of Pontyates and surrounding villages sent a unanimous message to fire chiefs that the local fire station should remain open.

Around 100 people attended the meeting at Pontyates Hall to quiz fire officers on the closure proposals they have recommended to the fire authority. The option to close Pontyates fire station is one of around 20 options for the fire authority to save over £4million in the next three years.

The meeting was organised by Plaid Cymru councillors in the Llangyndeyrn community and was chaired by local County Councillor, Tyssul Evans. In what was a heated meeting, the public joined together to reject the proposal.

Due to severe budget cuts from the Welsh Labour Government, the Fire Authority is currently being forced to save over £4million in the next few years. Plaid Cymru are very concerned that as a result there may be a reduction in fire service provision locally which will directly impact upon response times which is simply not acceptable.

Recently Plaid have also supported the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in their current dispute over pensions with the U.K and Welsh Governments. The party argues that firefighters do an incredible job of safeguarding our communities locally and this should be recognised.

In response, Plaid MP for Carmarthen East + Dinefwr Jonathan Edwards has now launched a national petition through the Welsh Assembly’s Petitions Committee in order to oppose any cuts to fire services budgets.

The petition can be found here: https://www.assemblywales.org/epetition-list-of-signatories.htm?pet_id=944