Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, yesterday asked Nick Hurd, Minister for Policing and Fire Service Minister to confirm that the greater collaboration planned between the Police and Fire Services would not harm the integrity of those services.
During Home Office Questions, Drax said, “Can the Minister reassure me and my constituents that, given that collaboration is potentially leading to a sort of patchwork quilt of service across the country, he will ensure that the integrity of services will be maintained?”
Mr Hurd replied that, “Joint police and fire governance will improve accountability because there will be a single point of accountability, democratically elected. “
He added that, “In relation to the efficiency and integrity of fire services, I hope that he (Drax) will welcome a very significant reform introduced by this Government—the introduction of independent inspection of fire services.”
“I am keen that this collaboration should be an improvement,” says Drax. “Many of yesterday’s questions sought to clarify what exactly has been done to enhance the collaboration between the services. My main concern is that Dorset, which is already so poorly funded, should not lose out further.”
The Policing and Crime Act 2017 was partly designed to empower and encourage further collaboration between the blue-light services.