Welsh Conservatives today sought reassurances from Labour-Plaid Ministers that the work of Fire & Rescue Services across Wales will not be affected by a raid on their budgets to fund an emergency £7million pay-out for grit and pothole repairs.
Figures uncovered by Jonathan Morgan AM, Shadow Minister for Local Government, reveal the cut to the Fire & Rescue Services of £4.8million funds the majority of the payment to local authorities, topped up with money from funding for gypsy travellers (£0.9m), Communities First (£1m) and Community Development (£0.3m).
Jonathan Morgan AM said, “We all recognise the severity of this winter’s weather and the need to deal with resulting potholes, but this should not be at the expense of the emergency services.
“I am concerned that Ministers may be unfairly raiding the Fire and Rescue funding to pay for a hastily announced pay-out to rebut damaging headlines over the Assembly Government’s lack of salt and grit supplies in the face of heavy snow.
“We need to hear reassurances from Ministers that the capital spending plans for the Fire & Rescue Services will not be curtailed as a result of this cut.
“All emergency services need access to modern and up to date equipment to help them keep the public safe, especially during the winter months.
“Labour-Plaid Ministers now need to reassure the public that they are supporting our hardworking and dedicated Fire and Rescue Services and not compromising public safety at a critical time.”
