Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what fire protection plans are in place to protect world heritage sites in County Durham.

The Fire and Rescue National Framework for England sets out the Government’s expectations of Fire and Rescue Authorities. As such, it reflects the Government’s firm commitment to the principles of localism and decentralisation: giving Fire and Rescue Authorities the freedom to determine and articulate their priorities for service delivery in accordance with their assessment of local risk (reflected in their Integrated Risk Management Plan); and to increase their accountability to the communities they serve.

Local operational planning and decision making, including fire protection plans, and specialist fleet and equipment are the responsibility of the Chief Fire Officer.