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Boris banks on axed councillors in bid to control fire authority
Ross Lydall21.10.09
Boris Johsnon is relying on two Tory councillors suspended for bringing their councils into disrepute to help him seize control of the London Fire Authority.
Former Brent mayor Bertha Joseph was suspended from the council for six months for disrepute after soliciting £900 in donations to pay for two ballgowns to wear to charity dances.
The other suspended councillor, former Richmond leader Tony Arbour, began a four-week ban this week after leaking confidential financial details about the borough.
But Mr Johnson has kept both on the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which means their votes can be used to help the Tories seize control at an emergency meeting tomorrow.
This would enable them to impose shift patterns that are bitterly opposed by firefighters, and drive forward plans to impose a pay freeze.
Ed Butcher, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the fire authority, said: “Boris clearly has no scruples when it comes to grabbing power.”
The Standard has learned the Tories have obtained three sets of legal advice backing plans to allow the two suspended councillors to participate in the public meeting, which takes place at noon in City Hall.
Their votes will allow the Tories to secure a working majority on the authority for the first time since Mr Johnson became Mayor last year.
They are taking advantage of the recent defection of another member, Betty Evans-Jacas, from Labour to the Tories — giving the Mayor nine of the 17 votes.
Paul Embery, spokesman for the London Fire Brigades Union, said: “I think it's outrageous.
“The Greater London Authority Act says the composition of the fire authority must reflect the balance of the parties across London.
“The idea you can be suspended as a councillor but still be able to sit on the fire authority and make decisions is wrong.
“If you are banned you should be banned from all democratic responsibility.”
He warned of the “mother of all battles” if a new shift system was imposed without consultation.
The Tories want to replace the ninehour day shift and 15-hour night shift with equal shifts lasting 12 hours.
Mr Coleman refused to confirm that Ms Joseph would be appointed deputy chairwoman of the fire authority.
He said the Mayor was “entirely happy” for her to remain on the body because she planned to appeal against her council suspension.
“Boris's view is quite clear,” he said. “She is innocent until proven guilty.”
Reader views (10)
Andrew seems to know very little about what fire-fighters do.maybe he is a conservative london councillor!
- Ed, orpington uk
Borisconi uses two discredited and suspended councillors to gain control of the Fire Authority, as well as another who had resigned from the authority only to have Brian "TAXI!" Coleman refuse to acknowledge her resignation because it suits Borisconi's agenda?
Is London now a Boris fiefdom, or just a banana republic?
- Fresh, London
How can starting at 8 in the evening improve productivity?After completing driver checks and Appliance Inventories, Home Fire Safety Visits will not commence until 9 at the earliest!Why would you want people coming round to stick up a smoke alarm when your having your Tea or putting the children to bed? Off course the 7 o clock slots can be done by the day crew but this can easily run over into overtime - Is this acceptable to the tax payer? No I thought not. 12 hour shifts is about reducing night time fire cover nothing more and everyone should fight it.
- Bayleaf, London United Kingdom
Andrew, you sound a little bitter. Maybe if you and people like you in the private sector had not dragged the country into such a mess maybe you would have well rested Firefighters who could rescue you when needed. If we kept a terrorist suspect awake for 48 hours solid that would be classed as torture. These people have to operate in severe conditions upto 700c heat using technical equipment and at height. Still think its a good idea to force them to stay awake for two days solid? You try it then see how quick you fall asleep while pushing your pen round your desk. Who do you trust more, a politician or a Firefighter? I know which one I'd go for every time.
- Tom, South east
Pual a week has 7 days and nights yes they work 48 hours in 4 days and nights, unlike the old shift pattern,they do not get any shift allowance,and how would working 12 hour days and nights be of any benefit to anyone? the LFCDA could not afford the extra money it would cost them, and what would they do between 9pm and midnight apart from fire calls? most places are closed at that time to carry out fire legislation checks hence the 9 hour day shift you try working 2 15hour night shifts with a 9hour break, and Andrew what planet are you on?
- Steve, England
Why are the Mayor and Council trying to destroy a system that works perfectly well.
They are prepared to spend thousands of pounds on new reclining chairs which are not needed.
If they want to see the Fire service continue to function properly then leave well alone.
- Alan Vernalls, Droitwich Worcestershire
Ref Andrew, Another whinge from someone who knows nothing about the job. The firefighters DO NOT WANT ANY MORE MONEY By the way if it is so easy and well paid why dont you try to join,(or maybe you did and were not good enough)
- Nick, wolverhampton
I do not think firefighters are over paid but sleeping at work on only a 42hr week is totaly outdated. Purely historical when firemen would spend 72hrs + on duty per week. Just has not been considered as the working week has been reduced over the years. Protected by the FBU as it would be difficult do do your second job if you had to stay awake all night.
- Paul, Surbiton
To Andrew from London.
I think if you open you eyes and have a look at the news, the fire-fighters are not looking to "receive more tax payer's cash." they just don't want to work a 12Hr dayshift.
How much do you see of your wife and kids if you work from 9am-9pm add on traveling time and all your doing is working, traveling and sleeping.
Give the guys a break you just never know when they might save your life.
- Andy, Falkirk
I'm with Boris on this one. We all know fire-fighters are over paid and spend most of their night shifts sleeping. Why should they receive more tax payer's cash when the rest of us are having our salaries cut because of the recession? I think Boris should press for the same type of reform for all public sector workers in the capital.
- Andrew, London
