Fire & Rescue Service merger not going ahead in 2013

East Sussex Fire Authority (ESFA) and West Sussex County Council (WSCC) have agreed the proposed merger of their Fire & Rescue Services will not take place in 2013.

The decision not to merge in 2013 is due to a lack of available finance information on how the new Service would be funded.

New government proposals announced since our merger discussions began will replace the current system of grant funding for fire and rescue authorities. Subject to being passed by Parliament, the financial arrangements in a new Local Government Finance Bill will come into effect on 1 April 2013 – exactly the same day as our proposed merger. 

The timing of the Finance Bill is unfortunate in terms of the Sussex merger as it means the Department for Communities and Local Government are at this stage unable to confirm our future grant funding and means we are unable to complete the detailed financial planning for the new Service. As a result both ESFA and WSCC agree it will not be possible to merge in 2013.

Merger remains an option once there is clarity on the funding and the financial issues can be resolved. 

In the meantime the 2 Services will explore all options for closer working short of a merger to see what operational and financial benefits it would deliver to the public. The emphasis will be on protecting essential services to the public.

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