MP claims fire service changes leave Stratford “dangerously exposed”

STRATFORD MP Manuela Perteghella has slammed “drastic cuts” to the fire service as “reckless” and slated the “undemocratic” way decisions were made.

Ms Perteghella said she has “grave concerns” about changes to Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service (WFRS) being rolled out by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) under its resourcing to risk plan.

In an excoriating letter to the council’s portfolio holder for fire and rescue and community safety, Cllr Andy Crump, and WFRS chief fire officer Ben Brook, the MP warned the fiercely debated changes leave Stratford “dangerously exposed”.

She added it was “unacceptable” that the decision was taken by the cabinet with “no opportunity for full council debate and no meaningful engagement with the communities affected”.