DORSET County Council’s cabinet has backed plans to merge the Dorset Fire Authority with Wiltshire and Swindon.
A report presented to the cabinet at a meeting at County Hall in Dorchester yesterday recommended the merger which is expected to save up to £4million each year.
Cllr Robert Gould, cabinet member for corporate resources, said this option offers ‘significant advantages in protecting frontline services’.
A recent presentation by the chief fire officer to councillors on the proposal was praised by cabinet and county councillors at the meeting.
Cllr Rebecca Knox said the merger would offer ‘huge opportunities’, adding: “The most important thing is that residents continue to benefit from the excellent work of the fire service.”
Cllr Paul Kimber said he was in favour of the move but asked the cabinet for clarification on any issues with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).
Cllr Knox, chair of Dorset Fire Authority, said she had received commun-ication from the FBU but that this was on a national, rather than local, level.
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