Open Letter to David Hodge

(Leader of Surrey County Council)

and

Russell Pearson

(Chief Fire Officer, Surrey Fire and Rescue)

KEEP SPELTHORNE SAFE

DON'T CUT FIRE SERVICES

Dear Mr Hodge and Mr Pearson

 In a few days, hundreds of Surrey residents will march through Spelthorne, linking our two fire stations. Support for the current level of fire safety provision in Spelthorne is widespread and virtually unanimous amongst the local population.

You will both have heard the many clear and well thought out arguments against cutting fire safety provision in the borough - through your consultations, from letters in the local press and from your colleagues in the County Council and in Spelthorne Borough Council. The local MP, the Borough Council and the Spelthorne Local Committee have all come out unanimously against closing Staines and Sunbury fire stations and replacing them with a single fire station. Every residents association is opposed to these cuts, as is every trade union branch active in Surrey.

 Given the incredible strength of feeling, Save Our Services in Surrey have called for a protest march on 7 Dec. This march is supported by local politicians from all political parties, by some of the most active residents associations and by hundreds of local people. We are asking you to reconsider your plans for Spelthorne and to keep the fire safety cover currently in place. We are aware that the Council Cabinet meets on 17 Dec to make the decision and we intend to bring the protest to County Hall on that day with a petition of over 1000 signatures and to lobby the meeting.

 It is not too late to recognise the overwhelming support for both of Spelthorne's fire stations and to announce that they will both be preserved as part of the overall Surrey Safety Plan.


Yours sincerely,


Paul Couchman

On behalf of Save Our Services in Surrey and the people of Spelthorne
[email protected]
www.sosis.org.uk

Nearly 400 people signed the petition in 2 hours today to save both the Spelthorne Fire Stations. Lots of people said they planned to march with us on 7 Dec (see events page). Thanks to all the local firefighters, trade unionists and local residents who came and helped hand out leaflets and talked to people about the campaign.

...but will he come on the march on 7 Dec? Watch this space.

Matt Wrack, the General Secretary of the Firefighters union (FBU) has agreed to come to our March on 7 Dec. The FBU are also bringing along their own Fire Engine.

Newsagents across the borough have the march emblazoned on billboards outside, courtesy of the Surrey Herald who have run it as a front page story.

Surrey FBU are working hard to get as many firefighters to attend as possible.

Bucks FBU are sending support.

Councillors Robin Sider (Shepperton) and Chris Bannister (Staines) have confirmed their support.

Keep spreading the word. We have 3 weeks to build an event to rock this borough and make the County Council think again.

Street stall in Staines this Sat 23rd Nov 11am.

A Save Our Services in Surrey meeting on 5th November, attended by trade unionists and local residents, agreed to call a march through Ashford, linking Sunbury and Staines fire stations on Saturday 7 Dec.

Watch this space for more information. Save the date! We will also lobby the council on 17 Dec to save our local fire stations.