MP Claire Hazelgrove joined Avon Fire and Rescue Chief Fire Officer, Matt Cook, at Patchway Fire Station following the Fair Funding Review which saw a £15.6 million boost for the service and a return to a multi-year funding settlement.
Matt welcomed Claire back to Patchway Fire Station to meet with him and the team, following her visit last year along with Chair of Avon Fire Authority, Councillor Paul Goggin, to discuss their severe financial challenges.
The MP then met with firefighters from the Fire Brigades Union in Parliament to understand their experiences and concerns first-hand.
She raised these issues as part of her advocacy to the government for a better and longer-term deal like this for
our community.
Claire Hazelgrove said: “It was good to meet again with Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Matt Cook, and some of the brilliant crew members based here at Patchway Fire Station. I’m very pleased that just before Christmas our Labour Government’s fair funding review included an additional £15.6 million for Avon Fire and Rescue Service in their core spending power over three years. This supports them to stabilise funding challenges and plan for the future – and not just one year at a time.
“Of course, this cash injection won’t resolve everything and there’s always more to do, but I am very pleased that our joint effort calling for further investment in this vital service has been heard and delivered on by our Labour Government.
“I was glad to be able to thank the team again personally for their hard and invaluable work in our community.”
Matt Cook said: “It was great to welcome Claire back to Patchway Fire Station. She spent time with our crews and staff, hearing firsthand about the work under
way locally and the priorities shaping our Service.
“Claire has listened to our team’s experiences locally and, together, we have pushed for more stable funding for our vital local service.”