Nia Griffith MP, Keith Davies AM and Cllr Carl Lucas, Leader of Llanelli Town Council have held urgent talks with firefighters from Llanelli Fire Station and their union representatives. The talks were convened as the news came that Fire Service Chiefs had ignored firefighters’ concerns raised at national conciliation talks and were pressing ahead with unprecedented changes to the service provision at Llanelli Fire Station.
Commenting on the meeting, Nia said
“What firefighters are telling me about the proposed changes is terrifying – massive loss of expertise and reduced cover at Llanelli Fire Station which is the main fire station for the area. Other stations where there have been changes like Pontardawe are within easy reach of main fire stations like Morriston and Neath, unlike Llanelli which IS ITSELF the main fire station for the area. I have already been in touch with Carl Sargeant AM, the Welsh Government Minister, about the stalemate, and whilst it is unheard of for the minister to intervene in the nitty gritty – we may well have to take it to him as a last resort. In the meantime, I am calling on Cllr Roy Llewelyn, Chair of the Fire Authority, to get a grip on the situation, and defend our fire service here in Llanelli rather than just nodding through changes which will have far-reaching consequences here in Llanelli.”
This week both sides have again met at the conciliation service – the Technical Advisory Panel – and the outcomes of those discussions is expected within the next fourteen days.