The Motion, as printed in the Agenda, was proposed by Councillor Stone and seconded by Councillor Jones. The Motion read as follows:

“Further to the proposed cuts to the fire service across the borough of between one third and one half. This council resolves to express its concerns by:

a.         Objecting to these proposals through the Essex Fire and Rescue Service

            (EFRS) public consultation - and urges residents to do the same.

b.         Raising these concerns with the two Members of parliament to enlist their
            support.          

c.         Urge the EFRS to consider expanding the level of fire cover in Thurrock due to the rapid increase in jobs, industry and homes.”

Councillor Stone introduced the motion, and in doing so, expressed concern over the proposed cuts being put forward as part of the Fire Authority Consultation. Councillor Stone also made Members aware that the Acting Chief Fire Officer, Adam Eckley, would be attending the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Committee on the 17 March 2016 and the need to liaise with Fire Authority to express the concerns of Members about proposed changes to services.

Councillor Coxshall stated that he did not support this motion as dramatic changes had taken place over the last 30 years, with the increase in emergency calls and the number of firefighters decreased. It was time for change and to look how tax money was being spent and he highlighted the work the Police were having to undertake to modernise their service. His only suggestion on cuts would be to cut the Fire Authority.

Councillor Cherry was concerned that the proposals would leave his ward, which had three large tower blocks, with no fire service cover and this would need to be made clear as part of the consultation.

Councillor Halden stated he did not support the motion because options needed to be based on the local needs. As a Member representing the Homesteads ward he would be attending the Cleaner, Greener and Safer committee in March to question the fire service and urged all Members to abstain from a vote tonight.

Councillor J. Kent asked that a requisition vote be undertaken.

Councillor J. Kent stated that Councillor Coxshall, who was a Member of the Fire Authority, had only attended one meeting of the Authority out of the seven so far held.

Councillor Hipsey commented that after listening to the Conservative party at a meeting last week he blamed the Conservative party and its membership for letting this happen and the need was to protect the people of the expanding borough and not save money. He stated that the Council should be looking after public services as once they had gone they would not come back.

Councillor C. Holloway stated the uniqueness of Thurrock and how the Council should support the motion. The Council had a duty of care to its residents.

At 9.25 pm, the Mayor moved a motion to suspend Council Procedure Rule 11.1 to allow the meeting to continue beyond the 2.5 hour time limit until 9.40 pm. Members indicated their agreement to the proposal.

Councillor Kerin stated he would be supporting this motion as chances could not be taken on the fire service, as you could not predict when incidents would happen.

Councillor Kelly requested more explanation on how this would be funded so would not be supporting this motion.

Councillor Gledhill agreed that this motion required more information. It was stated that Councillor Jones would be holding the Fire Authority to account at the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Committee and that Members be invited by the Chair. At this time he would not want to second guess the outcome and findings of that meeting. He agreed that change was required and if it proved that Thurrock was at substantial risk from these cuts this Motion should be brought back to Council.

Councillor Snell echoed Councillor Gledhill comments but also took on board all Members comments. He was not happy to vote on a motion that the chamber did not have sufficient information on.

Councillor Gerrish thanked Councillor Stone for bringing the Motion this evening but after reviewing the 3 proposals it did cause concern and he worried about the effect these cuts would have on the community.

Councillor Jones stated it was letting the Essex Fire Service know how the Council felt now. Councillor Jones seconded the motion and would not be supporting the cuts as Thurrock was the industrial hub of Essex and Thurrock should be treated as a special case.

Councillor Stone summed up the Motion with stating that Orsett were called to 1003 incidents last year an increase of 72 the previous year.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 20.7, Members indicated that the vote on the motion be recorded. Democratic Services conducted the recorded vote, the result of which was as follows:

Votes in favour of the motion:

Councillors Tim Aker, Chris Baker, Russell Cherry, Leslie Gamester, Oliver Gerrish, Yash Gupta (MBE), Graham Hamilton, Terry Hipsey, Cliff Holloway, Victoria Holloway, Roy Jones, John Kent, Martin Kerin, Steve Liddiard, Bukky Okunade, Barry Palmer, Peter Smith, Michael Stone, Kevin Wheeler, Lynn Worrall, Cathy Kent, Sue Gray (22)

Votes against the motion:

Councillors Mark Coxshall, Robert Gledhill, James Halden, Shane Hebb, Barry Johnson, Tom Kelly, Charlie Key, Brian Little, Susan Little, Sue MacPherson, Ben Maney, Tunde Ojetola, Robert Ray, Joy Redsell, Andrew Roast, Deborah Stewart, Pauline Tolson (17)

Abstentions:

Councillor Graham Snell (1)

The Mayor declared the motion to be carried.

RESOLVED:

That the Council will express its concerns by objecting to these proposals through the Essex Fire and Rescue Service (EFRS) public consultation and urges residents to do the same.

That the Council will raise these concerns with the two Members of parliament to enlist their support.

Urge the EFRS to consider expanding the level of fire cover in Thurrock due to the rapid increase in jobs, industry and homes.