SALISBURY MP John Glen has called for urgent talks with a government minister over funding decisions that could lead to the closure of Wilton Fire Station.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Glen said several fire stations across Wiltshire and Dorset could face closure despite significant cost savings made by the fire service in recent years.

He said: “I’ve been meeting with firefighters in Wilton and last night I met with Andy Cole the Chief Fire Officer for Wiltshire and Dorset.

“Eight of our stations in those two counties are facing closure out of 50 despite them making £15 million of annual savings since 2016.”

Mr Glen said the issue appeared to centre on how the Treasury calculates expected growth in council tax revenues.

“At the core of the issue, it seems is the assumptions around growth in the council tax base, which is much higher in the Treasury’s mind, than it is in reality on the ground,” he said.

The MP asked the leader of the House to help arrange a meeting with the relevant minister so the figures behind the decision can be challenged.

“Would the leader of the house fix up a meeting for me with the Fire and Democracy Minister so I can actually support her to actually push back to the Treasury so we can get the right assumptions and avoid closure of these fire stations, particularly in Wilton,” he added.

In a post on social media following the exchange, Mr Glen said he had formally asked for a meeting with the fire minister to examine the funding decision in more detail.

He wrote: “Today, I asked the leader of the House to arrange a meeting with the Fire Minister to scrutinise the funding decision that threatens the closure of Wilton Fire Station.

“The decision rests on false assumptions about council tax precepts, and I am determined to ensure it receives the full scrutiny it deserves on behalf of my constituents.”