THE police and crime commissioner for West Mercia would take control of the fire service under proposals to save taxpayers around £4 million a year.

West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion is launching a consultation today (Monday) on the proposals.

The commissioner would take on the running of both Shropshire and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Services, leading to both authorities being disbanded.

All 40 councillors who sit on the two fire authorities would be replaced by an elected commissioner.

If these changes go ahead in 2020, communities would have the chance to directly elect a local police, fire and crime commissioner.

Mr Campion says, although he is driving the proposals, this is not about him 'building an empire' but what is best for the emergency services and the communities they serve based on recommendations from independent experts.

The document says the extra integration and collaboration between police and fire 'does not mean takeover' or a merger and would have no negative impact on frontline police officers and if anything could protect frontline roles.

The fire services and police force would still exist independently of each other.

Council taxpayers would still pay separate contributions to the police and fire service.

West Mercia Police is implementing savings of £9.5 million this year with a further £21.9 million projected by the end of 2020/21.

Mr Campion argues that the changes would help meet these challenges, saving £4 million a year by cutting back-office roles and strengthening the case for fairer Government funding.

He also says the role of police and crime commissioner has brought greater public accountability and engagement and has allowed work to be completed more quickly. Mr Campion believes these benefits can be extended to the fire and rescue service.

The commissioner says expert analysis suggests the changes would help drive forward closer collaboration between the police and fire service, improving services to communities whilst delivering 'significant back-office efficiencies'.

The commissioner would become the body holding chief officers to account within our police and fire services.

The services would share more back office functions and information, to improve efficiency and focus resources on the frontline where they are needed most.

John Campion said: “This proposal is about delivering the best long term results for our communities and our emergency services.

"Our fire authorities have laid some good foundations, but it’s clear that our communities are not getting the most effective, efficient services they could. That can only be achieved by making this change”.

“By ensuring our police and fire services are collaborating and integrated as much as possible we can deliver better emergency responses, improve prevention measures, and increase information sharing between the services.

"It allows us to deliver necessary efficiencies but in a way that protects the frontline, rather than damaging it, which I think is a key priority for our communities”.

“Integration does not mean ‘take over’ though. I am clear that I would fully respect and retain the professional skills and knowledge within each service and each geographic area.

"Integration could not, and would not, come at the expense of standards of service.”

The Commissioner’s consultation on the proposals starts today (Friday) and will end on September 11.

Full details are available on the PCC’s website – www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk.