WILTSHIRE Council has written to the government urging ministers to review the way fire services are funded amid ongoing concerns over the future of several fire stations across the county.

The move follows a cross-party motion passed by councillors last month opposing proposals that originally threatened the closure of stations at Bradford on Avon, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton.

Since then, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has revised its plans. Mere Fire Station now appears to have been reprieved, while Wilton Fire Station is instead proposed to merge with Salisbury Fire Station as part of a 12-month trial.

However, uncertainty remains over the long-term future of services and the impact any changes could have on emergency response times, particularly in rural communities.

At a full council meeting on May 19, councillors voted in favour of a motion calling for action to protect Wiltshire’s fire stations and raise concerns with ministers about funding pressures facing the fire service.

Council leader Cllr Ian Thorn has now written to Samantha Dixon, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Fire, arguing that the current funding model is contributing to difficult decisions about local stations.

Council leader Cllr Ian Thorn is calling on the government to review fire service funding. (Picture: Wiltshire Council)

In the letter, he said councillors were deeply concerned about the potential impact on rural areas.

“These proposals would disproportionately affect our rural communities, as well as smaller towns and villages, which are already more vulnerable due to their geography,” he wrote.

“A county such as Wiltshire should not be in a position where fire stations are at risk of closure. They are critical infrastructure and should be recognised as such.”

The council is calling on the government to review the Revenue Support Grant, arguing that current funding arrangements do not properly reflect Wiltshire’s circumstances and place additional pressure on local services.

The fire authority is expected to make final decisions on its proposals at the end of the month following a public consultation and further assessment.