Police and Fire Shared Services
Debate between Edward Argar and Amanda Milling(9 years ago)
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Amanda Milling
I am sure the Minister would be pleased to hear that. My point is that in local government all local taxation ultimately sits under the responsibility of elected representatives, whether it be councillors or police and crime commissioners.
In conclusion, the Government want to see greater collaboration. I recently posed a question to the Home Office, and the Minister answered:
“It is common sense to break down silos and get the emergency services working together to secure more money for the front line.”—[Official Report, 12 October 2015; Vol. 600, c. 5.]
Edward Argar (Charnwood) (Con)
My hon. Friend is typically generous in giving way as she concludes, and typically forceful in putting the interests of her constituents first. Does she agree that collaboration and the sharing of services amounts not to amalgamation but to an opportunity to improve services, save money and help protect the front-line services on which my constituents—all our constituents—rely?
Amanda Milling
My hon. Friend makes a good point. He succinctly summarises the benefits of sharing and integrating services, and of collaboration.