Calls for independent public inquiry into West Midlands Fire Authority

Wendy Morton MP raised the issue in the Commons.

Author: Hannah Richardson & Harry Taylor (PA) Published 24th Oct 2024
Last updated 24th Oct 2024

An MP has asked for an independent public inquiry into West Midlands Fire Authority as she criticised "deep rooted and troubling problems" at the service.

Wendy Morton told the Commons that recent issues at the authority, which oversees the running of the West Midlands Fire Service, highlighted severe shortcomings.

In the last month the interim chief executive and chairman have resigned, amid accusations by the outgoing interim chief executive Oliver Lee that its governance was impossible.

Ms Morton, Conservative Party MP for Aldridge Brownhills in the West Midlands, said: "Recent events at the West Midlands Fire Authority regarding failures of governance, leadership, financial discrepancies, and staff grievances highlight some of the really deep rooted and troubling problems, and I'm afraid there are too many unanswered questions.

"So will this Government ensure that there's an independent and transparency public inquiry to ensure that the West Midlands Fire Authority meets the obligations and standards that my residents and people right across the West Midlands rightly expect and deserve?"

Commons leader Lucy Powell said: "I'm very sorry to hear about the poor findings of the fire service in the West Midlands, it is a much-needed service that local people should be able to rely on in those times of need.

"I don't have details of it with me now, but I will ensure that the relevant minister gets back to her as soon as possible about what can be done."

Ms Morton's request for a public inquiry comes as the leader of Walsall Council made the same demand in a letter to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper this week.

Mr Lee offered his resignation from West Midlands Fire Authority earlier this month after a LinkedIn post in September that heavily criticised how the service was run.

The former Royal Marine commander had been appointed after the death of the service's previous chief, Wayne Brown, in January.

In September Mr Lee had posted on LinkedIn: "I have decided not to apply for the permanent position.

"The governance of the organisation is wholly impossible, lacking as it does courage, transparency, care and honesty. I find this very sad in what should be, and could be, a superb public sector organisation."

He later attempted to withdraw his resignation, but he was then told last week by West Midlands Fire Authority that his employment had been "terminated".

Days before, the chairman of the West Midlands Fire Authority Greg Brackenridge had resigned after five years in charge. Mr Brackenridge is the husband of Wolverhampton North East MP Sureena Brackenridge.

In a letter sent to staff by the fire authority's vice chair Catherine Miks yesterday, she acknowledged it had been a "challenging time" for the service.

She said: "May I first say thank you to all of you for doing the critical work to keep our communities safe over what I recognise has been a challenging time.

"While I am disappointed in the series of events and consequent decisions of both Oliver Lee and Councillor Brackenridge to resign, I recognise that these were their decisions to take, and ours to navigate. I thank them both for their work for WMFS."

A West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority spokesperson said: "The current situation has understandably attracted the attention of many important external bodies to include the Home Office, HMICFRS and NFCC.

"We are in regular communication with the Home Office and have invited any additional scrutiny or support that they may feel is necessary.

"We remain in close contact with them and are committed to ongoing transparency.

"We are also in regular communication with His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and the Fire Authority has written to them to formally request a specific and focused review of the governance of the service.

"This review will run alongside the upcoming inspection and will provide assurance alongside identifying areas for improvement."

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