THE fire service in Bromsgrove could be brought under the control of West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner, under controversial new plans to save taxpayers money.

John Campion launched a consultation on the proposals on Monday (June 12), which would see him in charge of both Hereford and Worcester and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Services - leading to both authorities being disbanded.

All 40 councillors who sit on the two fire authorities would be replaced by an elected commissioner in a bid to save taxpayers around £4 million a year.

Although Bromsgrove police and fire services currently share a premises in Slideslow Drive, their back office functions are still very separate. The new system would see the two working together to share information and supposedly save on spending.

If the changes go ahead in 2020, residents will be asked to vote to elect a local police, fire and crime commissioner.

Mr Campion, who would hold chief officers to account under the new set-up, says the changes would drive forward closer collaboration between the police and fire service, improving services to communities.

He said: "Our fire authorities have laid some good foundations, but it is clear that our communities are not getting the most effective, efficient services they could. That can only be achieved by making this change.

"Integration does not mean 'take over' though. I am clear that I would fully respect and retain the professional skills and knowledge within each service and each geographic area. Integration could not, and would not, come at the expense of standards of service."

But Councillor Roger Phillips, Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority's vice chairman, said the proposals could 'jeopardise' the performance of the fire services.

"In HWFRS, we have already made real-term savings of nearly £5 million in our annual revenue budgets since 2010, with plans to deliver another £1.6 million by 2019/2020."

He added: "It is vital that if further efficiencies are to be made - on top of those already planned - that they do not result in resources being spread too thinly."

Trevor Connolly, chairman of the Fire Brigades Union which represents Bromsgrove workers, worries the plans will damage public trust in local firefighters, which he says has taken a long time to build.

Mr Connolly told the Advertiser: "We believe our firefighters are held in the highest regard in terms of public trust and satisfaction. Combining with the police may lead to the public view that we are no longer impartial.

"The proposed takeover will neither deliver economic of effective emergency services, nor will it optimise public safety."

Residents have already expressed concerns, including campaign group Bromsgrove Against Cuts (BAC), which has labelled the move undemocratic.

BAC member Kevin Greenway said: "We have all experienced so-called efficiency savings resulting in inefficiency and greater costs in unpicking these failures.

"Bromsgrove has been denuded of services over many years. We have a town plan for growth but political decisions go in the opposite direction. This cannot go on."

The consultation on the proposals will end on September 11.