DELAYS to merging governance of police and fire services is causing communities to miss out according to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for West Mercia.

Following the delays PCC John Campion says communities and emergency services are the biggest losers, with his comments coming after the Home Office confirmed the transfer to joint governance cannot take place before 2021’s PCC elections.

The Home Office say the ongoing legal delays have been caused by the local fire authorities and the Covid-19 emergency.

Mr Campion produced a business case for joint governance in 2017 showing services could be improved, while delivering £4 million efficiencies each year to re-invest in the frontline.

The business case was prepared by independent experts and was backed by 60 per cent of impacted communities, independent analysis, and successive Home Secretaries.

Since then, the two fire authorities have delayed the transition for more than two years through judicial reviews, at significant cost to the public, with the cost of the legal action being taken from public funds.

These reviews have not contested the case that joint governance would benefit communities, but instead have sought to query legal technicalities about the Home Secretary’s decision-making process.

The PCC has been critical of the actions of the fire authorities but says he remains committed to helping the people of West Mercia.

“My commitment to the communities of West Mercia has always been to act in their best interests," said Mr Campion. "That remains the case.

"The strength of evidence and public support for joint governance was clear.

"In the two years the fire authorities have been fighting this change with an expensive legal battle, joint governance would have delivered £8m back into frontline local police and fire services and enabled major service improvements.

"I urge the fire authorities to be open and transparent about the full costs incurred to local taxpayers and the basis for their actions.

“I fully accept, understand and support the minister’s decision at this time.

"However, it remains the case that joint governance would benefit our local communities and emergency services.

"The public is right to demand the best possible police and fire services, with the maximum amount of resource focused on the frontline.

"As such, I will revisit delivering this for our communities.”