The Balmossie branch of the FBU has turned up the heat on the region”s fire board after passing a vote of no confidence in its leadership.
Tensions have continued to simmer over Balmossie after fire service management in Tayside made two attempts within months of each other to downgrade cover at the station on the outskirts of Broughty Ferry.
On both occasions the proposals were voted down by members of the region’s fire board, but convener councillor Ken Lyall has continued to insist the plan is the correct one for the service as whole.
Members of the FBU’s Balmossie branch have now reached boiling point and unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Lyall and his deputy councillor Christina Roberts.
Both politicians told The Courier they had no intention of resigning their posts.
The FBU insists Balmossie should be left alone as it was three times busier than Forfar which would receive a full-time day crew if Balmossie was downgraded during the last quarter.
In a strongly-worded statement, Balmossie FBU branch secretary Neil Ritch said, “The firefighters at Balmossie are angry and have lost all confidence in Mr Lyall due to his constant failure to recognise and to accept the democratic decision of Tayside Fire Board with regard to the proposal about Balmossie contained within the Towards A Safer Tayside document, and his belittling of the councillors involved in that decision.
“Also his never-ending criticism of the FBU, the public who supported our campaign in great numbers and the excellent service to the communities of Tayside provided by not only the crews of Balmossie but all stations within Tayside.
“As the convener of the fire board and our employer, it is not unreasonable to expect him to support his staff, not constantly criticise them and belittle the service we willingly give to our communities. “We have great respect for the democratic process and the fact that different people have different opinions. It is just a pity that Mr Lyall and Ms Roberts are unable to show the same respect.”
Mr Lyall told The Courier last night he still believed the Balmossie proposal was the correct one for the service as a whole and said he was in no doubt it would come back to the board again in future.
He also said the claim that Balmossie was busier than Forfar was misleading, saying the number of fire interventions undertaken by the Angus station was greater overall.
He said, “In the three years I have been convener of the fire board I have consistently supported staff and also the communities throughout Tayside. I have always done what I think was best for the people of Tayside in relation to any proposal which has come in front of the board. If I have been vocal on any proposal coming to the board it is because I have believed it would be the correct proposal and give the best possible service to the people of Tayside.
“The Balmossie situation has been a difficult one for everyone. At the end of the day, I think the proposals put to the board regarding Balmossie were the right ones albeit they were rejected.
“I do think these proposals will come back again in the future. Of that I’m certain.
“I have no animosity towards staff at Balmossie. My only and main concern is to try to provide the best possible service for the people of Tayside within the resources we have got.”
Councillor Roberts said the fire board had a responsibility to work to deliver the best service for the whole region and she would continue to work towards that goal.
She said, “Every single councillor is there for the good of the whole of Tayside. We have to look at what we legally have to do and we do it to the best of our ability. We have got to give best value for the people of Tayside and that is the best I can say.
“I am not resigning. I have been on the board for seven years and I have done the best I can and I believe we have got the best fire and rescue service in the whole country. I have always maintained that.”