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Fire authority to decide on cuts Fire safety checks hit by funding
(about 6 hours later)
The North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority is expected to announce cuts within the service later. The North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority has said it may not meet its targets for home safety checks without more Welsh Assembly Government funding.
The organisation warned the reduction in local authority funding could have a knock-on effect on some services. It had hoped to more than double the number of checks to 30,000 but said the recent tight budget settlement for councils would affect some services.
At the meeting in Mold, Flintshire the authority will announce its reaction to what it calls "financial pressures". Meeting in Mold, the authority said plans to intensify community fire safety work may have to be put on hold.
Earlier this year, the authority deferred a decision on controversial re-rostering proposals which unions claimed would cut 29 frontline jobs. The assembly government has been asked to comment.
In November, the Welsh Assembly Government described its £3.8bn budget settlement for Welsh councils as a "tight but realistic deal".In November, the Welsh Assembly Government described its £3.8bn budget settlement for Welsh councils as a "tight but realistic deal".
But the settlement, which saw the revenue for one council rise by just 1%, was criticised by many local authorities.But the settlement, which saw the revenue for one council rise by just 1%, was criticised by many local authorities.
Times and resources It was with great regret that we came to this conclusion today Authority chairman Trevor Roberts
As a result, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority said it faced a shortfall which would have a significant knock-on effect on some of its services. The North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority warned the funding levels would have a significant knock-on effect on some of its services.
In September plans were put forward to modernise the service, which has Wales' highest fire death rate. On Monday, members said the number of home fire safety checks would not be increased unless additional funding could be found.
The plans included teaching fire safety and cutting the number of times crews were called to automatic fire alarms. Last year, the service conducted more than 14,000 home fire safety checks, and a spokeswoman said it hoped to increase the number to 30,000.
The service said it aimed to make the most efficient use of time and resources. It claims the number of fires where alarms have been activated has increased from 50% to 61%.
The reorganisation of firefighters' rotas was among original proposals put forward to the authority's executive committee. "Very disappointed
However, a decision was deferred after the Fire Brigades' Union said it would cost jobs. But in a statement the authority said it would not be in a position to increase the number of safety checks under the current funding arrangements.
Simon Smith, chief officer with North Wales fire and rescue service, said: "The figures speak for themselves.
"This work is making a positive difference to fire safety in north Wales and I am obviously very disappointed at the prospect that our plans to develop it further may have to be put on hold.
"It is clear that our community fire safety work saves lives and reduces injuries to both the public and our firefighters, which in turn results in a reduction of wider council spending."
Authority chairman Trevor Roberts said: "It was with great regret that we came to this conclusion today.
"Members of the executive panel of the authority are now planning to lobby the Welsh Assembly to seek urgent approval for further funding of the crucial fire safety work."
Ten people died in fires in the region between April 2006 and March 2007, a figure which the region's chief fire officer called "totally unacceptable".Ten people died in fires in the region between April 2006 and March 2007, a figure which the region's chief fire officer called "totally unacceptable".