An announcement by the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) to introduce a 20%  hike in  fees has prompted London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) to cancel its membership.

CFOA wrote to London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson in February, advising that the proposed charge for LFEPA's membership in 2012/13 would be £8,670. It says the increase  reflects the end of central government funding for CFOA from 1st April 2011 and a restructure of the organisation's funding model.

But Commissioner Dobson said: "At a time when public sector organisations are being challenged to make huge savings across the board we believe this increase shows a lack of empathy with the financial situation facing all the fire and rescue services that CFOA is there to support.  In the current  economic climate we believe they should be leading the way rather than simply passing on the cost of savings that we are all being asked to make."

LFEPA's decision to withdraw its CFOA membership was made as part of the authority's budget proposals for 2012/13  which were agreed on Thursday 15th March).

The decision followed a request from Authority Chairman Cllr Brian Coleman that members consider withdrawing and avoid the increased membership cost as a budget saving measure.

For more information visit www.london-fire.gov.uk  

 

Posted March 22nd, 2012 at 1055 by Andrew. Comment by emailing: andrew.lynch@pavpub.com