Northumbria Police and our Fire Services work closely together and have developed great partnership working and I am keen to see this continue.

I don\’t believe that the Fire Service should come under the control of Police & Crime Commissioners, but I do believe the government has a duty to ensure all of our emergency services are properly funded.

The article in the Chronicle shows how our region is losing out – I will continue to work with Councillors, MPs and partners to ensure the North East\’s voice is heard loud and clear.