Long-term funding is now approved for Warwickshire’s new fire service model, addressing previous concerns about data use and future expenses.
It ignored issues like on-call firefighter availability. A fresh look at service was then done, and this plan is called Model A. The county council approved it last year. Changes will ensure appliance availability, with fourteen available during the day and thirteen ready at night. Four more can be available within two hours, and they want faster response times county-wide, along with more prevention work.
The new model aims to cut response times. In Stratford, each town will have an appliance during the day, including Stratford, Henley, Alcester, and Wellesbourne. At night, appliances are available from fewer towns: Stratford, Henley, Bidford, and Wellesbourne will have them.
Shipston, Gaydon, and Fenny Compton will house extra appliances for extra support when needed. The changes should be done by early 2026. People worried about funding after three years, but the council addressed this funding concern.
At a meeting, funding became a permanent part of spending. More staff meant an increased spending, going up by over £500,000 yearly. The council first gave money for three years, then added £602,000 for 2028-29, and another £614,000 is planned for 2029-30.
The plan is refreshed each year. Removing fire service money now needs a new decision. It is now a regular expense, not temporary. Councillor Crump said data was “not flattering” but that the changes will improve response times. He confirmed the extra funding for years four and five.
Crump said that residents wanted to know how it would be paid for. More people will be trained for fire protection, with extra money going to that due to Grenfell. Inspections are not on target right now, however, enforcement actions increased greatly.
The inspector said there was not enough enforcement previously. Councillor Crump said the team took note, and they spent time making enforcement correct first. Though figures don’t look great, there is some good news there as well.