Fire Stations Will Stay Open
Sunderland, Wallsend and Gosforth fire stations that were earmarked for closure, will now stay open.
Sunderland, Wallsend and Gosforth fire stations that were earmarked for closure, will now stay open.
The Tyne and Wear Fire Authority met on Monday morning (16th February) where they made the decision.
At the same meeting a petition with 34,000 signatures was handed over against the planned closures.
They said it was because they are in a slightly better financial situation.
It was also decided that the council tax precept would be put up by 1.99%.
Chairman Councillor Tom Wright said: “It is important to note that the Authority still faces significant financial challenges ahead which we will need to address.
“Between 2010/11 and 2017/18 we will have lost a significant proportion of our funding, over £14m. These cuts are disproportionately high compared to most other Fire Authorities and the areas of greatest need, mainly Metropolitan areas, continue to see the highest level of overall cuts to their funding.
“The impact and size of the cuts will continue to be monitored to ensure the long term stability of the organisation. The Fire Authority’s number one priority is, and will always be, the safety of our staff and the public. We will continue to lobby against the financial reductions to prevent any future cuts to this excellent service.”