TADLEY town councillors have raised concerns over radical reforms to the way the fire service will be run in the town. 

In a bid to plug a £16million funding gap nationally, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has proposed to replace the town’s fire engine with a van manned by less than half of its current crew. 

Currently the fire engine which runs out of the Franklin Avenue station, serves an area with a population of 17,670 people and is maned by a six-man crew, whereas the van would only carry two firefighters.

The budget cuts would reduce the number of firefighters housed at the station from 12 to 10 in a move designed to slash £14,000 from Tadley’s slice of the budget. 

The town council has arranged a meeting with representatives from Hampshire Fire and Rescue next month to discuss the full impact the changes would have. 

Chairman of the town council, Cllr David Leeks said: “As a council we are concerned with the proposals to the service and at a glance it does not look good for Tadley. 

“However, until we have our meeting with the fire service we do not know the full extent of things.” 

If the changes are given the green light, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council believes Tadley will see a more efficient dynamic service rather than it being diminished. 

Ward councillor for Baughurst and Tadley North, Cllr Robert Tate said – following a meeting with Hampshire Fire and Rescue – he was impressed with what was being suggested. 

He said: “It will be a significant change to the way the service deals with fires in the town, but the proposals are meant to improve and maintain the quality of service. 

“At face value it may seem as though we are losing a service from the town, but in reality it will be a smaller, yet technologically advanced way of putting out fires. 

“It is a tired and tested method that works out in Scandinavia and if the right approach is taken can work well here too.”

The decision is due to be made by the fire service authority on February 24.
If the plans are approved they will be rolled out nationwide over a five-year period, starting in April.