MORE than half of people surveyed by the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire want to see changes in the way the fire service is run.

The results of Julia Mulligan's public consultation into plans for her to take responsibility for the fire service as well as police were released yesterday (THURS).

According to Mrs Mulligan's survey, 56 per cent of the 2,341 people surveyed supported her preferred model of governance, compared with 29 per cent who supported seeing her made the 17th member of the Fire Authority, and 15 per cent who wanted a third option, with a single Chief Officer responsible for both services and answerable to the PCC.

Mrs Mulligan said: "I am heartened that so many people got involved in my consultation and had their say. This is all about improving the service to the public and ensuring we continue to properly protect people into the future.

"What's more, with only 30 per cent of the total preferring to retain the Fire Authority, it is clear that there is great appetite for change to improve the way the fire and police services work together. People have consistently told me that this makes a lot of common sense."

North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council and the Fire Authority disagreed with Mrs Mulligan's plans, which she said was "very disappointing", and showed they "put vested interests first".

The change can only go ahead following a review by the Home Office, and a business case will be submitted next month (OCT).