NEATH Port Talbot councillors have been reassured that fire services will not be downgraded in the county.
Chief fire office for Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service, Richard Smith, said that despite the service facing a "diminishing budget", they would continue to maintain and enhance their service in the county.
Councillors grilled Mr Smith, who addressed a full council meeting yesterday, on what the county would face if the service needed to make cuts.
Gwynfi councillor Jane Jones raised the issue that rumours had been circling that stations could be closing and downsizing in Neath Port Talbot.
The Post revealed in November that the fire service was considering proposals that would see the two fire stations in Neath and Port Talbot closed.
It was reported that the proposals would then include a centralised station built in Briton Ferry.
But Mr Smith said that was not the case.
"One meeting it was a purely 'what if' and suddenly to someone else it is a proposal," he said.
"The budget for 2011 has nothing around stating closures or downsizing.
"We considered amalgamating two stations into one but we found that not to be viable."
But he revealed that if their budget was confirmed for April 2011, plans for a new fire station at Gwaun-cae-Gurwen would go ahead.
"It is our intention to start immediately and hopefully in 12 to 18 months you will see that," he said.
Mr Smith added that the fire service faced a challenging period, but was not looking at a "slash and burn approach."
He said: "In my view we are continuing to deliver an excellent service and are delivering value for money.
"We have been looking frantically at a whole range of savings which have been required for 2011/2012.
"I think it is fair to say that it has not been easy for the fire and rescue service who have been looking at a reduction in revenue.
"I see the major challenge is still developing all that we can and maintaining and enhancing the services we provide."
A presentation was also given by county commander for Neath Port Talbot Ken Wall, who said: "We are continuing to achieve success and this is a testimony to the staff, those on the front line and back room support."
He said activity levels had increased over the past year by 18 per cent from 1,758 to 1,486, hoax calls had been reduced by 25 per cent and 3,770 home fire safety audits had been undertaken.
Figures also showed that there had been no fatalities in the county from fire incidents but there had been two fatalities from road traffic collisions.
Following the presentation, deputy leader Peter Rees thanked the officers for their attendance.
"I hope this presentation has given some assurance to our members," he said.
"All we are interested in is the safety of our citizens in the county borough."
gill.roberts@swwmedia.co.uk
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