Walsall councillors oppose ‘ludicrous’ proposal to cut overnight cover at fire stations

Councillors in Walsall have called on fire bosses to scrap “ludicrous” proposals to close Bloxwich and Willenhall’s fire stations overnight.

West Midlands Fire Service has stressed that “no decisions have been made” and that “the proposals as they stand are just that – proposals”.

They include the removal of night-time cover from stations at Bloxwich, Willenhall and Kings Norton, a reduction in overnight availability at up to 11 further stations and the closure and relocation of Ward End Fire Station.

At a Walsall Council meeting on Monday (November 2) Conservative councillors together with Reform presented a notice of motion calling for councillors to oppose any reduction to services and for the proposals to be scrapped.

Reform leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Elaine Williams, said: “I find it astonishing that after a summer which saw catastrophic wild fires and major incidents across the West Midlands the response from the fire authority is not to strengthen front line emergency cover but to consider reducing it.

“Fires do not only occur during the day, serious road traffic collisions do not stop at night.

“At the same time our borough is growing. We’re expecting to see thousands of new homes across Walsall. Many more homes bring more residents, more infrastructure and create more demand on emergency services.

“Common sense tells us that when risks are increased, resources should be maintained or strengthened, not reduced.”

An amendment was put forward by Walsall People’s Alliance, a group made up of four ex-Reform members.

In addition to the original motion, it also called on councillors to acknowledge that West Midlands Fire Service has received no capital funding since 2015 and receives the lowest council tax precept of any fire service across the country.

It also called for the Reform leadership to advocate for the continuation of 24-hour operations at all stations across Walsall.

Reform opposed the amendment, causing it to fail.

Leader of Walsall People’s Alliance, Councillor Daniel Rollinson, asked which parts of the amendment Reform opposed. Councillor Williams did not respond.

Members then voted on the original motion, which was approved unanimously.

Leader of the Conservative group, Councillor Adrian Andrew, said: “We’ve come together to show our collective message to West Midland Fire Authority that Walsall Council will not accept any of these cuts.