SIX months on from taking over governance of the fire service, Julia Mulligan says there are difficult times ahead but changes must be made.

Julia Mulligan became Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire in November, and told Inside Government’s annual Fire and Rescue Services Forum in London this week that more collaboration was required to improve the quality of fire and rescue services.

In a speech, she said “a shared vision and common purpose among North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service”, would provide the “ability to learn from each other and a determination from the new senior leadership team to work, together where appropriate, in the public interest”.

Following concerns nationally that firefighters could be forced to help fight crime, Mrs Mulligan again reassured the public that the services would remain independent, with separate budgets, chief officers and staff, and that “any savings made from one service will not fund the other”.

Speaking after the event, Mrs Mulligan said: “One of my priorities has always been to talk to people and let them know what is happening and why – from those on the frontline, to those who support them and the residents and businesses of the county.

“The six months ahead will see more difficult decisions as we face funding reductions and changes in the way services are delivered. But I am confident that, due to the approach we have taken so far, we can make the right choices that deliver on the aim we all share – to keep North Yorkshire safe and feeling safe.”