ALL parties at Sedgemoor District Council backed an emergency motion to reject proposals to reduce fire service cover in the area.

At the meeting at Bridgwater House on Wednesday, July 31, the motion was put forward by Conservative leader Cllr Duncan McGinty, seconded by the Labour leader Brian Smedley and supported by Cllr Bill Revans and the Liberal Democrats.

A consultation on Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's (DSFRS) plans to undertake 'the most significant change to the service for 50 years' is ongoing.

The fire service says it is making the changes as some stations attend only a handful of fires each year and have more resources than they need, while other areas require more resources to better meet demand.

The service also says the proposals will give them the capability to deliver targeted protection work to reach the most vulnerable members of society and help keep them safe.

Under the new proposals, rather than just responding to emergencies when they have occurred from the existing fire stations, DSFRS has outlined an option that puts in place six additional full time crewed fire engines during the day that will move to where the risk is highest.

This risk will be determined by using data to inform where emergencies are most likely to occur in rural and urban areas.

However to fund the changes DSFRS will need to close a number of low risk/low activity fire stations and some fire engines.

Stations which could close include Porlock and Woolacombe, as well as seeing crews stationed at Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil reduced, from three to two.

Sedgemoor District Council passed a motion stating: "In the knowledge of the growing population of Sedgemoor, increases business and new homes, more jobs, people and vehicles on the road, the council would strongly oppose any reduction to the fire service provision across the district.

"While it is acknowledged that prevention and education is vital to reducing the risks of fire incidents, this should not be at the expense of the response service."

In seconding the motion Cllr Brian Smedley said that the Labour group supported the position as laid out by the Fire Brigade Union which clearly called for an additional option of no closures.