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Agenda item
Motion (Rule 14)
Councillor Barnett to propose:
Following the severe flood and major fires in Hastings between January 16 – 21 2023, this Council would like to place on record its appreciation of the response from the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
The prompt, professional and caring way in which each incident was dealt with has met nothing but praise from all those affected.
So it is extremely concerning that in the same week, we heard of proposals from the East Sussex Fire Authority to downgrade Fire and Rescue services in Hastings. Local firefighters fear that the residents of Hastings, Rye and surrounding villages including Fairlight, Guestling, Pett, Winchelsea, Icklesham, Camber, Iden and Peasmarsh would face a long wait to be rescued overnight.
In many cases, as at all the major incidents here last week, more than one fire engine is required on the scene to mount a rescue or a response. Downgrading The Ridge Fire Station could drastically increase the time it takes for sufficient fire crews to be in place.
These proposed cuts come at a time when the demand on the Fire and Rescue Service is increasing, in part due to the more frequent extreme weather events. Additional heavy rainfall, fierce storms nand extreme heat which brings the risk of wild fires as last summer all put our residents and those of Rother at greater risk, which downgrading the current service would significantly worsen.
This Council therefore calls upon the Fire Authority to withdraw these dangerous proposals and agree to maintain the current excellent service for Hastings.
Minutes:
Having declared a prejudicial interest Councillor Marlow-Eastwood left the Council Chamber for the duration of this item.
Councillor Barnett proposed a motion as set out in the agenda, seconded by Councillor O’Callaghan.
Councillor Beaver proposed an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councillor Patmore, to delete paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6. Councillor Barnett did not accept the amendment.
The Mayor proposed that the Council suspend Rule 16.6(b) of the Council’s Rules of Procedure in order that the amendment and original motion be open for discussion at the same time. Councillor Batsford seconded the proposal, which was agreed unanimously.
RESOLVED that council suspends Rule 16.6b of the Constitution to permit the motion and the amendment to be on the table and open for discussion at the same time.
A recorded vote was requested on the proposed amendment and Councillors voted as follows:
Councillors Beaney, Beaver, Cooke, Edwards, Fernando, Foster, Hay, Patmore, Pragnell and Williams voted for.Councillors Arthur, Barnett, Batsford, Bishop, Cannan, Carr, Collins, Evans, Haffenden, Hilton, Jobson, O’Callaghan, Rankin, Rogers, Sinden, Turner and Webb voted against.
The amendment was rejected by 10 votes for, to 17 against.A recorded vote was requested on the original motion and Councillors voted as follows:
Councillors Arthur, Barnett, Batsford, Beaney, Beaver, Bishop, Cannan, Carr, Collins, Cooke, Edwards, Evans, Fernando, Foster, Haffenden, Hay, Hilton, Jobson, O’Callaghan, Patmore, Rankin, Rogers, Sinden, Turner, Webb and Williams voted for.
Councillor Pragnell abstained.
RESOLVED (by 26 votes for, with 1 abstention) that Full Council accepts the motion as set out below:
Following the severe flood and major fires in Hastings between January 16 – 21 2023, this Council would like to place on record its appreciation of the response from the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
The prompt, professional and caring way in which each incident was dealt with has met nothing but praise from all those affected.
So it is extremely concerning that in the same week, we heard of proposals from the East Sussex Fire Authority to downgrade Fire and Rescue services in Hastings. Local firefighters fear that the residents of Hastings, Rye and surrounding villages including Fairlight, Guestling, Pett, Winchelsea, Icklesham, Camber, Iden and Peasmarsh would face a long wait to be rescued overnight.
In many cases, as at all the major incidents here last week, more than one fire engine is required on the scene to mount a rescue or a response. Downgrading The Ridge Fire Station could drastically increase the time it takes for sufficient fire crews to be in place.
These proposed cuts come at a time when the demand on the Fire and Rescue Service is increasing, in part due to the more frequent extreme weather events. Additional heavy rainfall, fierce storms nand extreme heat which brings the risk of wild fires as last summer all put our residents and those of Rother at greater risk, which downgrading the current service would significantly worsen.
This Council therefore calls upon the Fire Authority to withdraw these dangerous proposals and agree to maintain the current excellent service for Hastings. -
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