Edwina Hart AM MBE Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration Weinidog dros Gyfftlwnc/o( Cymdeirhasol ae Adfywio Our ref: EH/00608/06 Your ref: Irene James AM :::auJJf SRi' Ci.rji7l CFS;jl NA ConstitLlency Office S~'iJct1!iCi!d: 029 20e2 51: 1 The Institute Pax. 02~ 2':;.3:; 6~:;~< £!:!H:i" ps ijG~/mJ h3r:~~·;ia:es.g$-i'!;;C!/.tJ~> 128 Newport Rd CVJlllcarn S;:.V.: <~~';1;!ff1!C{j C:;e~(Jl'dct CF% 1 Nfo.. Crosskeys S'.'~I;~~A:~'r>1;j n;;:9 ::-:;82 ::.: < ~ Ffacs. C2!: 2069 f! 1:3 c ~ NP11 7LZ fbC5!" ps -e~:~*f·j:'\3 ftiH"t~~2~'~\'O;e-$.gs· 9;J:v ut Tilank you for your letter of 1 June regarding the proposals to change crewing arrangements at Abercarn Fire Station and the amalgamation of Cefn Fforest and Bargoed Fire Stations. I am also av·/are that you raised these issues at First Minister's questions on 6 June, when the First Minister commented that we would contact you in iight of your concerns. In relation to the Bargoed I Cefn Fforest proposal, I note in the consultation document the Authority states that if they were to consider fire cover in the Bargoed I Cefn Fforest areas starting with a blank sheet there would be no proposal for two Stations located one mile apart. I understand the situation has arisen as a result of history: when the two stations came under different Fire Authorities and I/-/ere inherited by South Wales when it was created in 1996. As far as Abercarn is concerned at this point I will decline to comment as the Fire Station. though outside of Blaenau Gwent. is reasonably expected to provide some operational cover within the Blaenau Gwent area. Given the current elections taking place, I deem it inappropriate to respond at this time. However, I note you refer to Brynmawr as a full time station when in fact it is a retained (iUlY station. Retained personnel mal,6 up 36% of firefighters within the Authority, ere-vving 26 retained stations with many of these having full staff complements and no problems with availability of personnel. In addition, all the proposals contained within the Plan are currently the subject of formal public consultation. Our Risk Reduction Planning Guidance requires Authorities to consult with the general public and their representatives1 community organisations, business and employees. Once the consultation has concluded on 31 August the FRA is required to take full account of the responses before flnalising their RRP. It is therefore likely that some or ail of the proposa.ls would be subject to furtiler clarification and/or change. Fire and Rescue Authorities are autonomous bodies with the statutory responsibility for securing fire and rescue cover within their areas, in line 'Nith Assembly Government Guidance. At this stage it is therefore not appropriate for me to become involved over proposals which are the subject of on-going public debate. .