MERSEYSIDE Fire and Rescue Authority is offering the residents of West Kirby and the surrounding area two options:
Option A: West Kirby fire station closes, along with Upton fire station. A new £2.8m station is to be built in Frankby Road. This option, apparently, is intended to save money.
Option B: West Kirby fire station is to close and Upton remains open.
So, a decision to close West Kirby fire station has already been taken before the public participation process starts.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue has failed to integrate the EU convention covering the access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice into its policies, planning procedures or practices.
This failure constitutes a breach of the rule (known as the Aarhrus Convention) and thus an error of law.
The Convention requires authorities act in an open, transparent and fair manner. The Merseyside authority has failed to act in this way.
It also guarantees members of the public have the right to participate in decision-making when all options are open and when public participation can be effective.
Alan Rundle. West Kirby.
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