By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Council have ridden roughshod over strong opposition to approve plans for the Island’s fire service to come under the joint control of Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.
A twelve-week consultation showed that the majority of those asked did not want the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to come under the authority of the mainland, and would prefer the Isle of Wight Council to retain control.
However, the Isle of Wight Council will now go ahead and vote on the matter at a cabinet meeting next Thursday in the teeth of local objections including some from Island councillors.
If the merger meets cabinet approval, decisions on the Isle of Wight’s firefighters, appliances, stations and strategies will be made on the mainland with the IW Council having just one of the eleven seats on the board.
