The controversial proposal to downgrade Balmossie Fire Station was defeated at a meeting of the Tayside Fire and Rescue Board yesterday — but it may only be a stay of execution.
Another strong supporter of the change was Angus Council leader Bob Myles, who insisted any political allegiances should be “left at the door.”
He pointed out, “This decision seems to have been hijacked by a general election and politicians are jumping on bandwagons.
“If we lived in an ideal world, every fire station would be full-time.
“If we retained Balmossie as it is, who would be the losers? The silent majority and the rest of Tayside.”
He also suggested that if they do not “go down this road there would be a possibility of cutting the station altogether.”
Bailie Rod Wallace represents the ward in which Balmossie sits, and he said that if he voted in favour of the proposal he would be “stabbing Balmossie in the back” and not be “listening to the concerns of my constituents.”
In recommending the status quo be maintained, he added, “I represent the Broughty Ferry ward and I make no apologies for making it quite clear that my first duty is to my constituents and the city of Dundee. Ignore the voices of the people at your peril.The people are angry”It takes a lot for them to get fired up to sign petitions but they were queueing up to sign this one.
“They feel so angry and annoyed that this is coming back to the board so quickly.
“The people are angry. They spoke loudly in 2009 and they are speaking even more loudly in 2010. Leave Balmossie alone.”
He was seconded by Dundee West End Councillor Richard McCready, who said, “We cannot justify holding a public consultation and then not recognise the responses we receive. The case for downgrading Balmossie has not been made.”
Independent Arbroath councillor David Fairweather voted for the change and suggested “anybody voting politically should not be sitting on this board and members who go against this should be ashamed.”
Summing up, Mr Lyall warned again “there is a good chance it will come up in the future.” But he insisted “Balmossie will never be closed.”
Chief Fire Officer Stephen Hunter wants to remove full-time night cover at the Broughty Ferry station to allow a full-time crew to operate a day shift in Forfar, meaning Balmossie would be manned by a part-time retained crew between 6pm and 8am.
Before councillors voted by the narrowest margin to reject his idea, they were warned it could resurface when next year’s action plan is prepared.
The plan provoked outrage in the community and from the firefighters’ union, the FBU, many of whose members attended yesterday’s meeting in Perth’s council chambers.
The 10 to 8 vote in favour of an amendment dropping the Balmossie proposal from the board’s annual action plan was cheered on the public benches.
Of concern to campaigners will be the fact that the vote was much more clear cut this time last year — 12 to 5.
Emotions were high on both sides of the argument during the 50-minute debate that preceded the decision.
The convener of the board, Highland Perthshire Councillor Ken Lyall, was first to speak in favour of changing the Balmossie set-up.
He explained, “This was discussed last year and, though it was rejected, I personally think it was the right proposal.
“I hope you will be able to support it this year. In Forfar and Brechin there are similar stations and it seems to me it’s only fair to have an equal service in these stations.
“I see that as simply improving the service.
“There is a clear message from all the local authorities (Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and Angus) that this service has to make savings.
“I think the best way to approach this is to provide the best possible service before we look at possible cuts in the future.”Misguided emotion claimBut it was acknowledged that the Balmossie decision was “cost-neutral.”
He was seconded by vice-convener Dundee East End Councillor Christina Roberts, who said, “Misguided emotion should not be allowed to cloud your judgment.
“The board has a legal and moral responsibility to do the best we can for Tayside. We would be giving best value to the people of Tayside.”
Fellow vice-convener Monifieth Councillor John Whyte added, “I find it disappointing to hear the FBU referring to use of retained personnel as downgrading. Retained firefighters provide an excellent service in towns like Brechin and Montrose.
“They could and would provide as good a service in the Balmossie area. Tayside Fire Board has a duty to ensure its resources are used to best effect over the whole area. This is to the benefit of many.”
Chief Fire Officer Stephen Hunter wants to remove full-time night cover at the Broughty Ferry station to allow a full-time crew to operate a day shift in Forfar, meaning Balmossie would be manned by a part-time retained crew between 6pm and 8am.
Before councillors voted by the narrowest margin to reject his idea, they were warned it could resurface when next year’s action plan is prepared.
The plan provoked outrage in the community and from the firefighters’ union, the FBU, many of whose members attended yesterday’s meeting in Perth’s council chambers.
The 10 to 8 vote in favour of an amendment dropping the Balmossie proposal from the board’s annual action plan was cheered on the public benches.
Of concern to campaigners will be the fact that the vote was much more clear cut this time last year — 12 to 5.
Emotions were high on both sides of the argument during the 50-minute debate that preceded the decision.
The convener of the board, Highland Perthshire Councillor Ken Lyall, was first to speak in favour of changing the Balmossie set-up.
He explained, “This was discussed last year and, though it was rejected, I personally think it was the right proposal.
“I hope you will be able to support it this year. In Forfar and Brechin there are similar stations and it seems to me it’s only fair to have an equal service in these stations.
“I see that as simply improving the service.
“There is a clear message from all the local authorities (Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and Angus) that this service has to make savings.
“I think the best way to approach this is to provide the best possible service before we look at possible cuts in the future.”Misguided emotion claimBut it was acknowledged that the Balmossie decision was “cost-neutral.”
He was seconded by vice-convener Dundee East End Councillor Christina Roberts, who said, “Misguided emotion should not be allowed to cloud your judgment.
“The board has a legal and moral responsibility to do the best we can for Tayside. We would be giving best value to the people of Tayside.”
Fellow vice-convener Monifieth Councillor John Whyte added, “I find it disappointing to hear the FBU referring to use of retained personnel as downgrading. Retained firefighters provide an excellent service in towns like Brechin and Montrose.
“They could and would provide as good a service in the Balmossie area. Tayside Fire Board has a duty to ensure its resources are used to best effect over the whole area. This is to the benefit of many.”
Chief Fire Officer Stephen Hunter wants to remove full-time night cover at the Broughty Ferry station to allow a full-time crew to operate a day shift in Forfar, meaning Balmossie would be manned by a part-time retained crew between 6pm and 8am.
Before councillors voted by the narrowest margin to reject his idea, they were warned it could resurface when next year’s action plan is prepared.
The plan provoked outrage in the community and from the firefighters’ union, the FBU, many of whose members attended yesterday’s meeting in Perth’s council chambers.
The 10 to 8 vote in favour of an amendment dropping the Balmossie proposal from the board’s annual action plan was cheered on the public benches.
Of concern to campaigners will be the fact that the vote was much more clear cut this time last year — 12 to 5.
Emotions were high on both sides of the argument during the 50-minute debate that preceded the decision.
The convener of the board, Highland Perthshire Councillor Ken Lyall, was first to speak in favour of changing the Balmossie set-up.
He explained, “This was discussed last year and, though it was rejected, I personally think it was the right proposal.
“I hope you will be able to support it this year. In Forfar and Brechin there are similar stations and it seems to me it’s only fair to have an equal service in these stations.
“I see that as simply improving the service.
“There is a clear message from all the local authorities (Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and Angus) that this service has to make savings.
“I think the best way to approach this is to provide the best possible service before we look at possible cuts in the future.”Misguided emotion claimBut it was acknowledged that the Balmossie decision was “cost-neutral.”
He was seconded by vice-convener Dundee East End Councillor Christina Roberts, who said, “Misguided emotion should not be allowed to cloud your judgment.
“The board has a legal and moral responsibility to do the best we can for Tayside. We would be giving best value to the people of Tayside.”
Fellow vice-convener Monifieth Councillor John Whyte added, “I find it disappointing to hear the FBU referring to use of retained personnel as downgrading. Retained firefighters provide an excellent service in towns like Brechin and Montrose.
“They could and would provide as good a service in the Balmossie area. Tayside Fire Board has a duty to ensure its resources are used to best effect over the whole area. This is to the benefit of many.”