Charlotte Mackenzie, the Labour candidate for Falmouth and Truro, commented this morning on the published corporate assessment report from the Audit Commission on Cornwall’s fire services. She said:

“Sadly, this report confirms what local people fear. Fire services in Cornwall have deteriorated under Liberal Democrat leadership of council services since 2005. Fire services are now rated as ‘poor’ rather than ‘fair’.

“Among other issues, the report highlights weak political leadership by the County Council and recommends that ‘councillors need to take a stronger role in leading and challenging performance’ of Cornwall’s fire service.

“This is not the only service to receive less good ratings since the Liberal Democrats were elected in 2005 – the same is true of adult social care. At unitary authority elections later this year, people in Cornwall will have an opportunity to tell the Liberal Democrats what the Audit Commission can’t – it is time for you to go, Cornwall deserves better local political leadership.”