(2) what the running costs of the Tri-service centre at Quedgeley, Gloucestershire have been since its opening; what share of that cost is allocated to each of the emergency services using it; and if she will make a statement;
(3) what estimate she has made of the cost of transferring the control of the fire service from the Tri-service centre at Quedgeley, Gloucestershire; whether these costs include money owing through any contractual obligations; how long she estimates that transfer will take; and if she will make a statement;
(4) if she will make a statement on the future use of the Tri-service centre at Quedgeley, Gloucestershire.
The Gloucestershire tri-service centre was officially opened in May 2003. The Government awarded £2.6 million to develop the pilot scheme through the ‘Invest to Save’ budget.
Quedgeley was one of three tri-service pilot schemes in England. In each case, the Government have committed to meeting the specific costs of withdrawing the control room elements from these arrangements, including withdrawal from contractual commitments. A payment of £1,069,142 has been agreed with Gloucestershire to cover these costs.
Details on the centre's running costs and local financial arrangements are matters for the local police, fire and ambulance services. Gloucestershire FRS is also free to decide what other functions it keeps at—or locates to—the tri-service centre.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is due to move the control room element to the regional control centre in November 2010.
Gloucestershire, like all fire and rescue authorities, receives new burdens funding for the work involved in preparing to move to the regional control centre. Over the comprehensive spending review period (FY 2008-09 to 2010-11) Gloucestershire FRS will get implementation funding of £167,249 directly and have access to their share of south-west implementation funding of £1.8 million.