MP hopes meeting tomorrow could lead to U-turn on decision to move fire control centre

South Lakes MP Tim Farron hopes the County Council's meeting tomorrow will mark the end of plans to set up a regional fire control centre.

The County Council's Scrutiny Committee will be meeting tomorrow at 10am in Kendal to review the cabinet's decision to make Cumbria a partner in a North Westcollaboration.

Tim has been against this initiative ever since the government scrapped plans to enforce it last Christmas. But, despite this, the Council's Conservative/Labour cabinet decided to continue plans to move the fire control centre. This would mean that local emergency fire calls would be answered in Warrington.

After Merseyside recently pulled out, Tim is hoping thatCumbriawill do the same.

Speaking today, Jo Stephenson, Lib Dem County Councillor for Windermere and Chairman of the Committee, said: "It is important that we reach a conclusion fairly. I want to make sure that the Committee Members can explain their concerns and question the merit of both sides in an effective and constructive way."

Tim said: "I am completely opposed to the Council's plan. The whole process has wasted a huge sum of money - a total of £469m, according to a recent report by MPs! The biggest problem, however, is not money, but the serious risk it presents for the South Lakes. How can we, as a community, feel safe and secure when we know that the person on the other end of the phone may not know the difference between Staveley-in-Westmorland and Staveley-in-Cartmel? It is essential that these issues are addressed in the meeting tomorrow."