Tavish slams centralisation

FEARS that the Scottish government is watering down representation from remote areas after the new board members for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were voiced on Wednesday.

Only one out of 11 board members hails from the highlands and islands, former Highland Council leader and Liberal Democrat Michael Foxley.

The other members are Bob Benson, James Campbell, Kirsty Darwent, Marieke Dwarshuis, Robin Iffla, Bill McQueen, Sid Patten, Neil Pirie, Grant Thoms and Martin Togneri.

They will work with the SFRS chairman Pat Watters and chief officer Alasdair Hay to ensure smooth transition to the new single service, which will go live on 1 April 2013.

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott, who has been campaigning against the centralisation of emergency services control, said he was “extremely disappointed” that no representative from the northern isles had been appointed.

He added: “But as ministers in this centralising government run the show anyway and the board will do what it’s told, perhaps it doesn’t make a blind bit of difference.”

Announcing the board members, community safety and legal affairs minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “Scotland’s fire and rescue services are already performing strongly and, against a tough financial backdrop, the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will enhance the vital frontline services communities across Scotland depend on while offering a unique opportunity to do more.”