A UNION has urged the public to reject a bid for the new governance of the Fire and Rescue Service.

The Fire Brigade Union has questioned Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Peter McCall's bid to oversee the fire service, after Cumbria County Council ceases to exist due to local government restructuring.

The proposals being explored by the PCC's office have been criticised by the Union, notably in the form of claims that three fire stations will be at further risk of closure (Frizington, Stavely and Arnside).

A report prepared for Cumbria County Council's Scrutiny Advisory Board this week reveals that concerns have been raised about the bid.

The report on strategic issues facing the fire service reveals that informal discussions were had with members of the committee last March and concerns were raised to the fire service about the bid.

According to the report, one councillor said: “CFRS will cost more to run under both options considered in the business case than the current model and this needs to be more transparent for the residents of Cumbria.”

Ed Burrows, North West regional secretary, Fire Brigades Union said: “We, the public, Neil Hudson MP and local councillors have all voiced our concerns over these plans.

"The plans could lead to three fire station closures and are only favoured by Peter McCall in order to gain more political profile.

"We urge anybody who wants to see the fire and rescue service remain distinctly separate from the police and properly funded to have their say and submit a consultation response.”

Penrith and The Border Dr Neil Hudson MP said “I am against local government restructuring in Cumbria, especially at this time coming out of the pandemic.

"I share in some of the concerns of the Fire Brigades Union, and we must find a way to ensure that the fire service is protected and sensibly run as we move through these challenging times.”

However, Peter McCall defended his bid. He refuted claims that it would be more expensive and that any fire stations are planned for closure under his oversight.

He said: "In terms of the cost of running, the business case presents a clear case which shows the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner model is cheaper in the short term and with potential greater savings in the longer-term making better use of infrasturce and services.

"If [the councillor] has evidence to support their claim, I would like to see it.

"As for representation and democracy, I am the only person in the county to be elected across the county, so every voter has the opportunity to elect the Police and potentially Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, which isn't the case for councillors or indeed MPs, so I'm not convinced it's undemocratic."

Mr McCall and the Union have urged the public to have their say on the bid as a public consultation is underway, finishing on March 21.

To have your say, click here.

READ MORE: Councillors raised concerns to fire service about PCC governance bid