Ambulance and fire service to merge in Alderney

Alderney's Ambulance Service will merge with the Fire Brigade - and will be run and paid for by the States.

Islanders will see an additional tax on their homes to raise the money, which should be on a par with current subscription costs.

The decision was voted through last night, 7-3, but some politicians felt that the public had not been properly informed about how money for the service would be levied.

The service, previously funded by public subscriptions, will be paid for by an additional sum payable by every household affixed to the new single property tax.

The single property tax, which will combine TRP and Occupiers Rates, will be set and collected by the States of Alderney.

The estimated annual cost of the combined service is £136,550.

The States of Alderney currently pays an annual grant of £40,000 for the Ambulance Service while the Fire Service budget is £62,400; £33,830 is raised from subscriptions.

The new service will be introduced next year. However, States Member Steve Roberts said the public should be given the opportunity to have their say on the new funding model first.

St John Ambulance, the Island Medical Centre (IMC) and Mignot Memorial Hospital (MMH)will provide support with management and leadership from the States of Alderney.

Patient transport requiring no first aid will no longer be provided by the combined service. Instead individuals or the care home will use taxis or other volunteer organisations if an ambulance is not needed.