Message from Tony Morgan WARKS RFU Chair:

Warwickshire Station Closures - The Big Decision

The final decision on the proposed closures will be made on July 20th; the future of seven fire stations now rests firmly with those we elect to represent our interests and the communities of Warwickshire.

• When the Improvement Plan was first published, the RFU mounted a campaign to ‘SAVE ALL SEVEN’ stations which were under threat
• On 6th December 2009 we came together in an informal alliance with a number of groups and individuals and joined the march to ‘SAVE ALL SEVEN’
• Without any formal decision or agreement the campaign slogan then became ‘SAVE ALL SEVEN’
• The RFU burned the midnight oil and put together a constructive and comprehensive response to the consultation. Again, this response was specifically designed to win the argument and ‘SAVE ALL SEVEN’
• On numerous occasions we have taken part in televised debates such as the Politics Show and BBC Coventry and Warwickshire
• We have contributed to 2 parliamentary debates, supported Warwickshire MP’s in a just cause who were also totally committed to ‘SAVE ALL SEVEN’
• Westminster Hall 30th June http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2010-06-30a.278.0&s=speaker%3A24849#g280.0
• House of Commons 14th July http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-07-14a.1061.0&s=speaker%3A24849#g1061.2

However, the march on the 20th to lobby councillors will take place but we will not be there and here is the reason why;

At this stage we believe that powerful arguments have been presented, the facts are there for all to see, it is our view that there can be no compelling reason to remove the professional emergency response from those communities who value them so much and pay for them with their taxes!

The final decision is so important, the future of seven stations hangs in the balance and we believe that although the march will no doubt help to lift morale, those who we elect need to be able to reflect on the tough decision they will make and be accountable for it in the future without disruption. A noisy demonstration might well be counter productive and the risks too high.

I sat in the public gallery in Westminster Hall on the 30th June and of the many powerful comments made by those who took part, one comment by the Fire minister Bob Neil has stuck with me ever since. The minister said:

‘I am also aware that the inquiry into the tragic deaths of firefighters at Atherstone on Stour remains outstanding. An argument can be advanced for bearing in mind the outcome of that inquiry before coming to any final conclusions on the shape of the service’

Councillors would do well to reflect on what the minister said and vote to defer the decision until such time as the outcome is known and they are better placed to consider the needs of the service with the benefit of any recommendations.

I hope that our position will be understood. I have personally devoted a great deal of my free time on what I have always considered to be a just cause and I hope that our councillors fully understand and appreciate the sense of betrayal that will follow if they make the wrong decision.

Tony Morgan
RFU Chair, Warwickshire

anthony.morgan@rfuonline.co.uk
www.wrfu.org.uk