Hertford Fire HQ Threatened With Closure

Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd is proposing the closure of the Herts Fire Service county headquarters in London Road as part of his bid to take control of the service.

Mr.Lloyd has submitted an application to the government to take over the fire service from the county council and become the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. Last year's Policing and Crime Act introduced the dual role in a drive to bring police and fire services closer together, based on the assumption that the two services have much in common.

A business case drawn up by the PCC's chief executive Chris Brace and auditors KPMG proposed “rationalisation of estate savings”. This would include Herts Fire and Rescue headquarters being moved from Hertford to the county police HQ in Welwyn Garden City. The fire stations at Hatfield and WGC would also be relocated to the police HQ. Along with other closures, the PCC's plan would see a financial net benefit of £12.9 million.

The county council's cabinet last year voted to oppose to the move, with both Labour and the Liberal Democrats supporting the majority Conservative Party in formally objecting to the proposal.