WORCESTERSHIRE'S fire authority chairman has hit out at suggestions the police and crime commissioner should be handed his job - severely criticising the idea.

Councillor Derek Prodger has attacked a Government proposal to merge the emergency services together, saying they are "two vastly different jobs".

Ministers have published controversial new proposals to try and bring the police and fire services closer together in a bid to save cash.

A consultation paper says police and crime commissioners (PCCs) could "take on the duties and responsibilities of fire and rescue authorities", merging both into one employer where "a local case is made" for it.

The suggestion raises the prospect for the first time of West Mercia Police's £75,000-a-year commissioner controlling the fire authority too.

The idea was part of the Conservative manifesto before this year's General Election - and ministers now want fire authorities around the country to respond by Friday, October 23 with a view to launching it next year.

Councillor Prodger, who is a Tory himself, admitted he was "surprised" the party was intent on taking it forward.

"They are two vastly different jobs, we run a very efficient fire service which doesn't need changing," he said.

"I do not support the view that it needs to be controlled by a police and crime commissioner, I don't see how that will improve things at all.

"I'm surprised by the suggestion, we do a lot of collaboration with the blue light services anyway but this takes it too far."

Your Worcester News can also reveal how the idea is being actively opposed across the political spectrum on the Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority.

Councillor Richard Udall, who runs the main opposition Labour group on the authority, said: "We're universally opposed to it, it would make the fire service more remote and the poor relations of the police.

"There is a lot of pride in the fire service and having a fire authority allows it to be run independently to other emergency services.

"Nothing stops us working together now but politically, we must remain independent."

The current PCC for West Mercia Police is Bill Longmore, who is stepping down next year at the May elections.

The only confirmed candidate for the contest so far is Conservative Councillor John Campion, who will be the favourite to win.

Mr Longmore said: "This issue will ultimately be one for the next PCC to look at after next year’s elections.

"For me though, I think there are elements of a fire authority role that could be transferred successfully to a PCC but not necessarily all of it.

"Things such as finance or administration would probably be an easier transition, but fire services are specialised operations, run by people with intimate knowledge and specific skills

"That specialist knowledge and expertise needs to be retained."

He added: "We enjoy a very good relationship with both our fire services in West Mercia, as well as their relevant fire authorities.

"We’ve worked with them on a number of projects which have been mutually beneficial, and I’m sure that will continue to be the case because I think there is still scope for closer collaboration."

The Government's consultation paper is broadly based on closer working between the ambulance, fire and police services.

It includes a new duty between all three to "actively consider collaboration opportunities" including sharing all back office functions and streamlining management.

The consultation also says if areas decide to not have a PCC controlling the fire service, the commissioner "must have a representation" on the relevant fire and rescue authorities in their patch.