CORNWALL Council will be calling on the Government to devolve powers for policing in Cornwall to the council, after confirming its opposition to proposals which could see control over Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service transferred to the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner.

The council originally stated its opposition to the proposal by the Home Secretary Theresa May to consider the transfer of control over fire and rescue services to police and crime commissioners in July 2013. At that time the authority said that local control and accountability of fire and rescue services was vital to ensure that the service met the needs of rural communities such as Cornwall.

Members at this week’s meeting of the full council repeated this view, calling on the Government to leave Cornwall’s fire and rescue service alone.

Proposing a motion calling on Cornwall’s six MPs and representatives in the House of Lords to ensure that these ’ill-conceived ideas’ were not acted upon in the case for Cornwall, Councillor Sue James said that Cornwall was already leading the way in collaboration between blue light services and there was no local case for making any change.

Her case was backed by Geoff Brown, the cabinet member for communities, who said that Cornwall’s ’outstanding’ fire and rescue service was doing a fantastic job and he strongly opposed any proposal by the Government to transfer control.

He said: ’We already have the tri service station in Hayle and the UK’s first tri service officer so are leading the way nationally in collaboration between the blue light services. The fire and rescue service also plays a vital role in community safety and in working with vulnerable groups, including young people. At the same time the creation of the unitary council has already delivered significant back office savings.

’We are already delivering what the Government is proposing and I back the invitation issued by Sue James to Home Office Minister Mike Penning to come and learn from Cornwall.’

Other Members called on the council to go even further, with Julian German proposing that the Government should be asked to devolve powers for policing in Cornwall to the council.

Members agreed to continue to oppose any plans to transfer the control of Cornwall’s fire and rescue service to the Police and Crime Commissioner and to give the leader and chief executive the authority to talk to the Government about the future transfer of powers over policing in Cornwall to the council as part of the Devolution Deal.

In response to Cornwall Council’s call for devolved police powers, Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg said: ’Cornwall Council is entitled to its view but I don’t believe that this is the right path.

’Government policy on policing governance is clear — that responsibility should rest with a single accountable elected representative of the people — be that a PCC or an elected mayor.

’I find it hard to see how this could be delivered without the creation of a separate police force for Cornwall which is unlikely to be an efficient or effective solution.

’Our focus should be on bringing policing areas closer together to improve efficiency and effectiveness and to better protect the public, not creating further fragmentation.

’Before the council takes this forward, I would urge them to consult with the chief constable to ensure they understand the challenges and practicalities that may be involved.’