I welcome the Police and Crime Commissioner’s decision to press on and carry out a comprehensive assessment of future options for governance of Norfolk’s Police and Fire and Rescue Services.

As I have been very vocal about in the local media, I believe that all of us in public service owe it to the people we serve to ensure that frontline emergency services are put ahead of back office administration – and put the needs of service users ahead of the convenience of traditional ways of managing public services. If we are to drive higher rates of economic growth and more efficient services, we must have the courage to explore innovative ways of achieving this.

I therefore endorse the decision of the PCC to pursue this assessment, and would back a move towards greater cooperation between Norfolk Fire and Rescue and Norfolk Constabulary (without merging the two bodies) if the business case shows an opportunity to improve existing services and make savings which can then be reinvested into the frontline.

To see my previous work in this area, please do see my earlier web story here.