Each FRS will receive a minimum of £1m spread over the two financial years 2009/10 and 2010/11, with a top up based on population numbers. The services are free to decide how they spend the funds.
- Devon & Somerset FRA are one of the eight FRAs to receive over £2m;
- The Isles of Scilly with a population of just over 2,000 people will receive £100k.
Announcing the capital grant Fire Minister Sadiq Khan said: "This investment for the fire services' estate gives them all the opportunity to upgrade their buildings. This is additional money to every single Fire and Rescue Authority in the country. Each area will be able to decide for itself whether this extra money is used to tackle the more serious repairs, replacements or upgrades.
The Government believes that improving the estate has a direct impact on progress in the creation of a service that meets the needs of today's world including:
- fire stations in the right locations to best meet the needs of the communities they serve;
- improved facilities to ensure equality among firefighters and staff and encourage the recruitment of a diverse workforce; and
- improved community facilities enable more effective fire prevention within the community and further partnership working with other agencies.
