Positive progress in our campaign to protect local fire stations 
Iām pleased to share a significant update following the latest Cabinet recommendations for the meeting next week on the future of the Fire & Rescue Service in Oxfordshire.
Thanks to the strength of local campaigning and community support, we are now seeing real movement in the right direction:
No fire station closures ā proposals to close stations have been withdrawn to allow more time to improve firefighter recruitment. Thame protected ā plans to remove the second fire engine at Thame Fire Station have been dropped. North Oxford paused ā proposals for a new station in the north of Oxford will now be revisited with more detail before any decision is made. Investment on the table ā the Cabinet has recognised the need for further funding for fire services, with this to be considered in future budgets. Focus on staffing solutions ā instead of closures, there will be continued work on recruiting and retaining firefighters, both locally and centrally. Ongoing engagement ā firefighters themselves will continue to be consulted on proposed changes, including shift patterns.
This is a clear sign that our campaign is working. The Council is now listening and acknowledging that protecting frontline emergency cover must come first.
However, this is not the end of the fight. Some proposals such as changes to crewing and appliances are still under discussion, and we must ensure that no community sees its fire cover weakened. I am also concerned that with local elections coming up this could all be a temporary delay until the summer.
Local Conservative councillors will continue to stand up for our towns and villages and push for a fire service that is properly funded, fairly distributed, and always there when we need it most. A reminder you can still sign our petition here: https://actionstorm.org/petit.../keep-our-fire-stations-open
Thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign so far we are making a difference and positive progress.
