Fire engine set to be kept after concern over cuts

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority is set to reverse plans to cut both of Malvern's fire engines

Plans to cut one of Malvern's two fire engines are set to be reversed after public feedback.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority's review last year recommended the removal of eight on-call appliances across the two counties.

But documents published in advance of a meeting on Wednesday reveal Malvern's second fire engine could be retained for at least two years.

The authority meets at Wyre Forest House council chamber at 10:30 BST to decide on the proposals.

Malvern Hills District Council leader Tom Wells said the original proposal was too drastic for Malvern

Malvern Hills District Council leader Tom Wells previously said the original proposal would "strip the fire and rescue cover in Malvern to the bone".

According to documents published ahead of the meeting, the change was made after a public consultation process.

The documents state: "An amendment is proposed, which is to maintain Malvern's second fire engine for a period of two years, after which a review of availability  and numbers of incidents attended will be conducted.

"The second fire engine will be a compact fire engine. Upon completion of this review after a period of two years, a recommendation will be presented to the fire authority for further consideration."

As part of the consultation, more than 100 residents filled in questionnaires, 28 people attended focus groups and the rescue service held formal discussions with 202 affected fire service staff.

A number of organisations, including Malvern Town Council, also submitted written feedback.

The review could still lead to cuts at stations including Worcester, Hereford, Droitwich and Bromyard.

In addition, 45 on-call firefighters could be axed and the number of full-time firefighters increased.

Neil Bevan of the Fire Brigades Union described the cuts as a "serious threat to public and firefighter safety".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.