Dear Editor, Re Station realignments.

I find immensely difficult to full understand Mr James Morris’s recent actions. This following his previous lip service and apparent acceptance of West Midlands Fire Service & Authority action to address the unprecedented, and highest reduction in the whole of UK, to their “Rate Support Grant”, (RSG), from the present Government, for which he voted. Now it seems he makes noise to ask for it to be reconsidered. This after he, and we, realise that the 12.5% reduction this year and next year is irrefutable. Along with promise of even greater reductions in years 2013 -15, possibly as high as 30% overall or £20 -30 million per year reduction in original budget of £81 million. This is also after 12 months of words but seemingly little action until his constituents ask him to be more high profile. What real response does he, or anyone, honestly expect to receive. The concept of launching an online petition on the last day of consultation also leaves a major concern.

Perhaps your readers deserve true facts to be relayed to them; 1. WMFS budget, and expenditure 2010-11 £119, 000,000.00 made up by RSG £81 m and Precept, (Council Tax), £38m. This is the lowest precept per household in UK 2. Response rates for Category 1 incidents, People or property, is 5 minutes, on average, for first appliance.

3. Decision to merge Halesowen & Cradley Heath was made in February 2009.

4. Since this time I have been very vocal in my campaign to provide a "Super Hub" to facilitate Fire, Police, Ambulance and GP's to provide effective cost savings.

5. When Labour took overall control in 2010, without any consultation with Conservative Group, they in Feb 2011 advocated prompt action to amalgamate.

6. It was at my insistence, as recorded in minutes of reports, and also assistance in organisation that public meetings were held. I in fact demanded consultation 7. The fire fighters present were all members of FBU and personally known to Chairman, a Sandwell Labour Councillor.

8. During my visit to Halesowen & Cradley Heath Stations on Friday morning 2nd Sept a differing concept was shown.

9. At no time, confirmed by my questions at WMFRA Policy Planning Forum on Monday morning 5th Sept is there any intention to reduce the 5 minute average first response with an average 7 min second.

Mr Morris had been fully briefed and was aware of situation prior to public meeting.

The facts are simple.

1. WMFRA, as all Metropolitan Authorities, have suffered reductions in Rate Support Grant to a combined level of 82% since 2005, you will note then under Labour Government.

2. Present Government inherited unprecedented deficit on appointment and was forced into major decisions.

3. It was strange that all Met Authorities carried 62% of all reductions and some Shires received increase. London of course, due to position, only 3%.

4. WMFRA has held the lowest precept, council tax, in whole of UK 5. WMFRA has the quickest response time in UK.

I shall continue to address concerns to Authority and fight for what I, and my group, believe to be the fairest and most efficient service to be continued, but we are of course constrained by fact Labour now control Authority. I am sure it did not pass your notice The Chairman, only re-instated back on Authority in June after many years absence, was able to address all the more vociferous by Christian name.

Ken Turner Councillor Hayley Green & Cradley South Member West Midland Fire Authority, Deputy Group Leader, Chair Audit & Performance Management