A NEW safety centre for school children could be built if a merger between Wiltshire and Dorset Fire Services goes ahead.

Last week, it was announced the government will give Wiltshire Fire Service £5.5m to help with a proposed merger between the two services.

Both Wiltshire and Dorset are facing large-scale budget cuts in the coming years and plans are being put together to create one larger service.

Yesterday saw the conclusion of a 13-week public consultation on the future of Wiltshire Fire Service, which saw several options were put forward.

Next month, the results will be put to the local fire authority, which will decide the best way forward.

To ease the costs of any potential merger, the two services applied for money and on Friday, the Government announced the bid had been successful.

Part of the money will go towards extending the successful Dorset Streetwise Facilities into Wiltshire. They help to teach youngsters the dangers of everyday life, from fire safety to drug use, and see thousands through the doors every year.

Wiltshire Chief Fire Officer, Simon Routh-Jones, welcomed the announcement, which he said would ease the cost of a merger if it goes ahead.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the money and it eases the pressure if there are any moves.

“The Streetwise centres are about increasing awareness in the community and have been highly successful in Dorset. It would see the creation of a multi-agency strategic hub in a central geographic location that provides easy access for partners.

“Some of the money would go towards harmonising the ICT infrastructure of the two services and a small portion towards the transition towards a Combined Fire Authority.”

Throughout the consultation a number of sessions have been held to inform residents and businesses about the public consultation. Respondents were presented with three options which are to remain independent but with more local authority collaboration, to remain independent but work closer with Dorset and a full merger.

Swindon Council has supported the merger on the grounds that it is the best way to avoid large-scale frontline cuts.

Mr Routh-Jones’ role is to advise the fire authority on a potential decision but says the there is a strong case for the merger.

He said: “From the sessions we have been to there has been a strong tendency from people to lean towards the third option on the consultation, which is the merger. It is up to the fire authority to decide on the best option but there is a strong case to go with the merger.”

Due to the date of meetings, Wiltshire Council will today decide on its response to the consultation and a business case for each option will be put together before a decision is made on November 11.