Paul Couchman spoke to a packed meeting of the Ashford North Residents Association this morning (8 March) on behalf of Save Our Services in Surrey and the campaign to SAVE SPELTHORNE FIRE STATIONS.
There was still clear overwhelming opposition to the proposed cuts and a determination to keep campaigning. Only Denise Saliagopolous (County and Borough councillor) and a handful of her conservative colleagues were prepared to defend the proposals. Ms Saliagopulos went so far as to say 'the days of a fire station in every town are over'!
When pushed, Ms Saliagopoulos did say that there would now have to be a full further consultation on the latest planned cuts.
Councillors Robert Evans and Daniel Jenkins both spoke against the cuts and thanked SOSIS for our support in the campaign.
Kwazi Kwarteng MP arrived after the main debate on the fire stations but was questioned after his presentation by Paul Couchman about whether he still felt these cuts were 'unacceptable'. The MP said he was not responsible for County Council decisions, that his responsibility is to the people of Spelthorne and that he 'would not have made these cuts'.
Paul Couchman asked residents to cone to the lobby of the Spelthorne Committee on 17th in Staines and announced that a riverside pub in Sunbury will be holding a support benefit for the campaign on 1st May.
Keep signing the petition, come to the lobby, organise an event in your area. The campaign goes on...
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