Residents’ say on emergency services future
MEETINGS will be held for Macclesfield residents to have their say on the future of emergency services.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is holding a consultation on its Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), detailing how it will deal with challenges it faces up to 2024.
And a roadshow will be held at Sainsbury’s, on Cumberland Street, on Wednesday, February 12, from 11am to 1pm, where visitors can talk to the service about its proposals.
These include a fleet of 13 rapid response units, with one based at Poynton, to support on call capability.
Also the expansion of safe and well visits and changes to risk-based fire safety inspections.
Mark Cashin, chief fire officer for Cheshire, said: “We maintain a strong focus on both the safety of our communities and our firefighters.
”I would really like people to get involved with this consultation and share their thoughts about the direction we are planning to take.
“They can do that either online or by visiting one of our roadshows.”
Cheshire Police will also hold a consultation event at the Sainsbury’s store on Friday, January 17, from 10am to midday.
It is part of a consultation over a possible rise in the police precept, which would be the equivalent of up to £2 a month for a band D property.
David Keane, the county’s police and crime commissioner says the increase would help the force tackle issues including county lines crime, major crime, modern slavery and human trafficking.
Both the police and fire services have the means for people to take part in the consultation on their websites.
Mr Keane said: “Over the last decade police funding has been subject to stringent funding cuts from central Government.
“This has seen the policing budget in Cheshire decrease in real-terms year-on-year since 2010.
“In a decade where demand on policing has increased by one third, and become increasingly complex, we’ve struggled with more than £60 million of real term cuts.”