New fears for the future of the “very inefficient” Balmossie fire station on the outskirts of Dundee have re-ignited a bitter rift within the SNP.
Correspondence accessed by The Courier shows two prominent local members Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie and Tayside Fire and Rescue Board convener Christina Roberts clashed over plans to downgrade the station last year.
It comes after the board’s convener, SNP councillor Ken Lyall, suggested the station should be considered for closure in two years.
Now, emails between Mrs Roberts and Mr Hosie reveal her frustration that he supported last year’s campaign against ending a full-time nightshift at the station without first consulting colleagues on the board.
They also show Mrs Roberts voiced fears nearly a year ago that the station would be shut down entirely if politicians kept opposing the changes.
Tayside Fire and Rescue statistics have consistently shown that Balmossie is the quietest full-time station in the whole region.VetoedBut a proposal to remove full night cover in favour of increasing provision at busier Forfar was vetoed by councillors for the second year running at a fire board meeting in March.
Although Mr Lyall and Mrs Roberts supported the plans based on recommendations from Chief Fire Officer Stephen Hunter, many senior party colleagues opposed them due to the views of people in the affected area.
Emails obtained under freedom of information legislation earlier this year showed the extent of Mr Lyall’s anger with finance secretary John Swinney, Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild and Mr Hosie over their stance on the issue.
In an email dated November 18 last year, it has emerged that Mrs Roberts contacted the MP to voice similar concerns.
She wrote, “I’m not sure you have been fair by backing Balmossie without speaking to either Ken Lyall or myself.
“The convener and two vice-conveners brought Balmossie forward for all the right reasons.
“I know you have in the past spoken to the chief (Stephen Hunter) but I would ask for yourself and Shona (Robison, Dundee East MSP) to speak with us.”
Mrs Roberts goes on to express her worry that maintaining the status quo at the station would have severe financial implications in future years.
She continued, “If this redeployment does not happen, we will be looking in the near future for money savings and this will result in closures and the possible loss of front-line jobs.
“These are hard times for the whole country. As a Dundee administration member I cannot allow every department to squeeze for savings and efficiencies when fire and rescue are sitting with a very inefficient station.
“The board are (sic) supplied with quarterly updates…and Balmossie does not give a good showing.Busier”Fair enough there are fewer fires in the area but Forfar is a retained station and they are far busier.
“I really think you should speak to us very soon as it is an issue that will not get any easier.”
Mr Hosie replied the same day saying he wished to make “no criticism at all” of Mr Lyall and Mrs Roberts and the “professional way” they carried out their board responsibilities.
He then supplied Mrs Roberts with a list of reasons for his stance of Balmossie, including the fact that the area covered by the station was rapidly expanding and included many nursing homes.
Yesterday, he stood by his decision to oppose the proposals and confirmed that he had met Mrs Roberts following their exchange to outline his position.
However, he refused to be drawn on Mr Lyall’s comments.
He said, “It’s hard to say what proposals, if any, might come forward in two years’ time.
“I’m not going to prejudge what might happen in two years it’s a long way away.”
He added that he did not want to comment on the situation in Forfar, as it was outside his constituency area.
The Courier made a freedom of information request to see emails between Mr Hosie and party colleagues on the matter, but this was declined by the House of Commons.
A spokesperson said, “Members of Parliament and the information they hold are not subject to the act.”
Requests relating to correspondence received and sent by John Swinney and Ken Guild on the subject were also refused on similar grounds by respective officials at the Scottish Parliament and Dundee City Council.