A NEW and reduced Avon Fire Authority is to be formed following a meeting of leaders from authorities including South Gloucestershire Council.

The decision was made today following the publication of a damning inspection report which called for sweeping reforms to the authority’s leadership and culture.

The report, which was conducted independently, highlighted cases of bullying, cover-ups and financial irregularities within the service.

South Gloucestershire Council leader Cllr Matthew Riddle has now made a decision to "restucture" the service alongside Cllr Asher Craig (Deputy Mayor of Bristol), Cllr Tim Warren (Bath and North East Somerset leader), Cllr Nigel Ashton (North Somerset leader) and Sue Mountstevens (Police and Crime Commissioner). 

In a joint statement issued following the meeting, the group said: “We’ve all seen the inspection report and it’s highly critical of the governance, leadership and the culture of Avon Fire Authority.

“We have also seen the response of the current Fire Authority, which we feel does not address the failings and therefore we are not convinced that the Fire Authority can fix itself.

“As leaders we have a responsibility to our residents to ensure that the issues identified in this report are put right. We believe this can only be done with a radical restructure.

“We will form a new reduced Fire Authority in line with the report’s recommendations with the Police and Crime Commissioner.

“We have not taken this decision lightly and it is one that we have come to in the interests of residents and the many hard-working and dedicated Avon Fire and Rescue Service officers and staff who deserve strong accountability, support and reassurance.

“We will be talking to the Home Office about our choices and seeking advice about future arrangements.”