Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is facing opposition from local councillors who are urging that its main headquarters and training facilities, described as the service’s “crown jewels,” should not be sold off.
At a recent full council meeting of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, elected members voted to oppose the potential sale of the fire service’s headquarters at Pirehill in Stone and the outsourcing of its training functions. These options are currently being explored by Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams as part of a broader review into possible savings and investments.
Mr Adams emphasises that no firm proposals have been made yet, stressing his duty to consider all avenues to mitigate the challenges caused by funding cuts while protecting frontline services. He stated that outsourcing training would be a “last resort.”
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Labour Councillor Chris Wood, a former firefighter and Fire Brigades Union official, tabled a motion urging the withdrawal of any plans to sell the Pirehill HQ and outsource training and development. Cllr Wood highlighted the importance of the “first class” training facilities, crediting them for enabling firefighters to deliver a high-quality service to the community.
“The excellent training provided at Pirehill ensures firefighters are well prepared to perform under the toughest conditions,” he said, adding that the summer’s challenging period had shown the value of well-trained personnel.
Cllr Wood expressed concern over discussions about selling the HQ and its surrounding land for housing development, warning that such a move would be akin to “selling off the crown jewels.” He argued that privatising training and headquarters functions could harm the service’s reputation and effectiveness.
Conservative group leader Mark Deaville described Commissioner Adams as “a listening man” and proposed that the council engage directly with him by inviting him to a future scrutiny committee meeting. This would provide an opportunity for councillors to ask questions and discuss the potential outsourcing and sale plans in detail. However, the council voted down this amendment and passed the original motion opposing the sale and outsourcing.
Several councillors voiced support for safeguarding the fire service’s local expertise. Councillor Charlotte Smith stressed that firefighting is “a highly skilled profession,” noting the importance of local knowledge, especially in rural areas, for training purposes. She described the idea of outsourcing such training as “quite worrying.”
Councillor Jill Salt, who abstained from the vote due to a personal connection with the fire service, warned that funding pressures might still threaten other fire stations, even if the HQ remains. She emphasised the need to be alert and advocate for continued investment in Staffordshire Fire and Rescue.
Ahead of the meeting, Commissioner Adams wrote to council leader Mike Gledhill contesting aspects of the motion, calling it “not accurate” since there are currently no firm proposals. He explained that the ongoing review aims to address funding cuts and challenges including climate change, underscoring the importance of fully considering options rather than alarming residents with misinformation.
“Residents rightly expect me to consider all options for savings or investment to maintain frontline services amidst continued government funding cuts,” Mr Adams said. He reiterated that there are no definitive plans to sell the Pirehill headquarters or to outsource training functions at this stage.
It is anticipated that commissioners will be abolished in 2028 after their current terms conclude, and Mr Adams believes that firm proposals stemming from the review are unlikely before then.