Published: Wednesday, 1st February, 2006 10:04
Bid to save station
By Border Telegraph Newsroom
Print Article
A FINANCIAL offer by Scottish Borders Council could prevent the closure of Melrose Fire Station.
The local authority has indicated its willingness to find extra cash to secure the local facility’s future.
The surprise move was made by the Melrose delegation at Friday’s meeting of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Board in Edinburgh.
Members had spent almost two hours debating the Service Improvement Plan 2005/2010, which recommended the closure of Melrose Fire Station and the loss of 10 retained firefighters.
The local service costs around £150,000 per annum.
Buoyed by a 10,000-signature petition and Borders-wide support, local MSP Jeremy Purvis stunned the board by tabling SBC’s late offer.
Councillors spent more than an hour considering the appropriateness of the rescue package for Melrose and its impact on the service changes advocated by Chief Fire Officer Brian Allaway.
Although members endorsed service changes across the Lothians, the Melrose issue was removed from the plan to allow examination of the legality of the move and its financial implications.
Their decision delighted Mr Purvis, who said: “This means that, with the full support of Scottish Borders Council, I am very confident that Melrose will now not be closed.
“This is very good news considering the axe was hanging over the station when we drove up to Edinburgh.”
Bill Smith, the councillor for Melrose and District, was relieved that the decision on Melrose Fire Station had been deferred.
He said: “It’s given us breathing space.
“It allows for the board to consult, so we must just mark time.”
When it comes to number-crunching, however, time is not on SBC’s side.
Board treasurer Donald McGougan warned members that costings would have to be examined and substantiated by Friday (February 3), when the fire board is due to confirm its three-year revenue budget.
The Council leader, David Parker, told the Border Telegraph that dovetailing timetables could prove difficult.
He said: “We haven’t made any financial decision as yet and we certainly won’t be doing so before February 9, when we set the Council budget.
“We still need to ensure funding is there and clarify what the (fire) board’s position is.”
Meanwhile, Mr Purvis believes the signs remain optimistic.
He said: “The crew and the local community have done a fantastic job so far in campaigning for the retention of fire cover and I also want to thank Councl leader David Parker for his stout support for the campaign.
“I will be having further discussions this week, but I am very confident now that we can secure the service.”
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