People power saves Norfolk fire service cuts but at a cost to taxpayers

Councillors have voted against closing two retained fire stations in Norfolk after a consultation showed 77% of the public would rather pay more council tax than lose parts of the fire service.

This proposed cuts would have saved up to £525,255 by reducing the number of on-call firefighters by 86 at Great Yarmouth, Hethersett, King’s Lynn North, Thetford and Dereham. Replacing appliances with 4x4 vehicles at Cromer, Diss, Fakenham, Sandringham, and Wymondham, saving £197,348. Removing retained fire engines and crews from Great Yarmouth and North Earlham fire stations, saving £181,444. Closing two on-call fire stations at Heacham and either West Walton or Outwell, saving £146,463.

All these changes would have saved the council £1.165m over three years but now a changed set of proposals will go to full council in February for a final decision. It will mean the first rise in council taxes for five years