GREEN councillors have said plans to bring the fire service under the control of the Police and Crime Commissioner could threaten lives.

David Cameron announced last month a consultation will be launched into the proposal in a bid to make emergency services more efficient and to save money.

But local councillors have lambasted the idea, suggesting it could cost lives.

Green councillor Lizzie Deane, who sits on the East Sussex Fire Authority, said: "As we know well from recent restructures in services like the NHS, proposals like these are highly unlikely to save any money.

“This is a political move aimed more at the Fire Brigade Union which has challenged the previous government over its savage cuts to emergency services.

"At present, East Sussex Fire Authority functions are managed by former firefighters who have an excellent understanding of the reality on the ground.

“Working in this way our Fire and Rescue Service has demonstrated exemplary performance and should be commended for their unwavering dedication and bravery.

“To move the responsibility for running the fire service to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) would pose an enormous threat to fire safety and undermine substantial progress made in fire prevention."

She added that the PCC is focused on law and order and has no knowledge or expertise on fire safety or fire services.

She added: “The idea that this is somehow democratic is absurd - the PCC elections were risible, with only 5% of all residents voting for the current incumbent as their first choice ".

Green Councillors are now urging the public as well as councillors and MPs from all political parties to unite in resisting any restructure.

Convenor of the Green Group councillor Phélim MacCafferty said: “The proposals to bring Fire Authorities under the Police and Crime Commissioner will remove democratically elected representatives from how the fire and rescue service is run, and will pave the way for what are likely to be further savage cuts to services."

Last month Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, said any consideration for these proposals "will need a compelling business case and full public support."