Options Appraisal Project

Councillors on the Isle of Wight have voted unanimously to keep control of their fire and rescue service.

The IW Council had been exploring three management options as ways it could continue to modernise after being found to be offering a poor service by Government inspectors in 2005.

Those options included collaborating more closely with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service or merging altogether with the mainland authority.

But members of the IW Council instead voted last night (Wednesday) on the third option -- to maintain the existing arrangements under which it keeps control of its own service.

Councillors also voted to explore further collaboration with other 'blue light' services on the Island.
After the meeting, IW Council cabinet member for Safer Neighbourhoods, Cllr Barry Abraham said:

"This vote is about more than simply keeping the status quo. It is about ensuring the IW Fire and Rescue Service continues to improve and provide a still more efficient service."