Poor Management of Regional Fire Control Centre Plans is Costing the Taxpayer say Lib Dems

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have attacked the Labour Government over the delays and spiralling costs of its plans for regional fire control centres.

Commenting on the issue, Liberal Democrat Councillor Michael Headley, who is a representative of Bedford Borough Council to the Beds and Luton Fire Authority, said:

"This extra cost is caused by the poor management of yet another government large-scale IT project. Nationwide, the new fire control centres are already months behind schedule and £20 million over budget.'

"The new control centres should be measured against two criteria. Firstly, do they improve fire safety and secondly, are they financially efficient? They already seem to be failing on the second count.'

"Here in Bedfordshire the Fire Authority has already had to spend £123,000 on a new Communications Control System, not least because of the delay in getting the regional control centre up and running."