Meetings over South Yorkshire fire jobs plan

Fire chiefs in South Yorkshire have announced four public meetings about plans to shed 140 jobs due to a £10m government funding cut by 2015.

The proposals, which also include plans to close several fire stations, will have a 14-week consultation period.

The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority said any alternative proposals would need to make at least the same level of savings.

The Fire Brigades' Union has previously condemned the plans.

Under the plans, 68 full-time and 32 retained firefighter posts would make an overall saving of £2.25m per year, with an additional reduction of 40 full-time firefighter posts from internal staffing changes, making an overall saving for the service of £4m per annum.

The service also plans to close three Sheffield fire stations in Darnall, Mansfield Road, and a part-time station at Mosborough, and replace them with two new stations near the Sheffield Parkway and Birley.

The meetings are to be held in Sheffield:

• Tuesday, 22 November, 19:00GMT, Church on the Corner, Buchanan Road

• Tuesday, 29 November, 19:00GMT, St Catherine's Church, Hastilar Road South

• Wednesday, 30 November, 19:00GMT, Mosborough Methodist Church, Chapel Street

• Wednesday, 14 December, 19:00GMT, Sheffield Transport Club, Meadowhead.

The authority said further public meetings in the Royston and Edlington areas will be announced.

The consultation ends on Monday, 6 February 2012.