Fears over double-whammy change for fire service

Responsibility will move from the commissioner to a new board and then to new elected mayor

- Phil Corrigan Local Democracy Reporter

CONCERNS have been raised that a double change to governance could impact on Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams currently oversees the fire service as well as acting as its employer, but the government has announced that commissioners will be abolished in 2028.

Governance of the county's police and fire services will initially transfer to a new board made up of councillors and independent members. But this board may only be in place for a few years, with its functions likely to be transferred again to a new elected mayor for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Mr Adams has raised concerns that this double transition will create extra disruption for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and potentially hit it financially if the transition costs are not covered by central government.