Written question asked by Rebecca Harris (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 January 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 January 2011. It was answered by Robert Neill (Conservative) on Wednesday, 26 January 2011 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Fire Services: Canvey Island

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will assess the effectiveness of the planned reconfiguration of fire services on Canvey Island.

Answer: Operational decisions are taken by individual fire and rescue authorities as part of the integrated risk management planning process.The Government are committed to enabling local authorities and local communities to make appropriate decisions at the local level. Fire and rescue authorities are required by the fire and rescue service national framework to have in place and maintain an integrated risk management plan which reflects local need and sets out plans to tackle effectively both existing and potential risks to communities. Each fire and rescue authority's plan enables that individual authority to decide how best to provide fire and rescue services, including prevention and protection as well as response, with resources being allocated on the basis of their evaluation of risk and where the risks are greatest. It is a requirement that the plan is subject to a full consultation with the local community before it is agreed and published, and if it is substantially revised.Local requirements are thus determined by local people according to local circumstances.For those reasons, it would be inappropriate for central Government to make an assessment of any changes to fire and rescue services on Canvey Island.

Secondary information