GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council has reiterated its support for a local fire control centre even though cabinet members reluctantly agreed at their meeting last week to move to the next stage of a proposal, which could see fire control for the county moving to Somerset in next year.

GCC cabinet was asked to approve the next stage of the project, which gives authorisation to the South West Fire Authorities Regional Management Board (RMB) to continue with the plans for a regional fire control centre in Taunton.

The Government wants to close Gloucestershire's fire control centre, currently in the Tri-Service Centre at Waterwells, Quedgeley.

But while the recommendation was approved, cabinet members were keen to stress their support for a local base.

The council says it is, and will continue to be, opposed to the proposed relocation, but says it was forced to move to the next stage in order to ensure Gloucestershire has a say in what happens.

If the council had refused permission, the plans could have forged ahead anyway without any Gloucestershire input.

Cllr Julie Girling, cabinet member for community safety, said: "Gloucestershire County Council has always opposed plans for a regional fire control centre - and I want to make it very clear that we still do.

"Our local control centre did an excellent job in saving lives during last summer's flooding - and I remain strongly opposed to any plans to scrap it.

"However, we have to make the best of a bad deal and make sure that if the worst happens and these plans do go ahead, that we have some say in what goes on."

Cllr Girling, who represents the Chipping Campden ward, said: "The fire control works well with the other emergency services at the Tri-Service Centre at Waterwells and we will continue to push for the situation to stay as it is - today's decision does not change that."

Gloucestershire County Council's inquiry into last summer's flooding highlighted the crucial role played by the Tri-Service Centre during the disaster.

The report said the Tri-Service Centre provides a co-ordinated response, which ultimately helped speed up decision-making and action being taken.