In his inaugural speech to the Authority this afternoon (26 June), Councillor Brian Coleman AM, FRSA, who was appointed Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority by new Mayor of London Boris Johnson earlier this month, outlined the significant challenges he sees facing the Brigade. He said that decisions need to be taken on the need to reduce the unsustainable drawing on the Brigade’s financial reserves in ways that do not include the reduction of front-line services, that sensible and reasonable policies are required on firefighters’ shifts and beds, and that significant work was needed on a range of property issues including the proposed Private Finance Initiative scheme for a number of Brigade fire stations. He will also ask for a full review of the Brigade’s training needs and facilities.
Councillor Coleman also placed on record the Authority’s gratitude to outgoing Chair Valerie Shawcross, praising her unstinting, tireless and exemplary service as the first chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.
Click here to read the full speech .
Note to editors:
The London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) runs the London Fire Brigade. It is one of the functional bodies of the Greater London Authority and its 17 members are appointed by the Mayor of London
Councillor Coleman has served on Barnet Council since 1998 where he is the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Community Safety He has represented Barnet and Camden on the Greater London Assembly since its inception in 2000 and has been Leader of the Conservative Group on the Authority since then.
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