As a neighbouring authority consults on fire station closures, there are no plans to close any in Hertfordshire, county councillors have been told.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, which is operated by the county council, has around 40 fire engines operating from 29 stations.

At a meeting on Tuesday (December 9), executive member for public health and community safety Cllr Ajanta Hilton was asked if there were any plans to reduce the numbers in Hertfordshire.

Cllr Morris Bright (Con, Potters Bar West and Shenley), who held Cllr Hilton's brief under the council's previous Tory administration, said that Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority had voted to launch a public consultation on proposals that include reducing the number of on-call fire engines from 30 to 23 and closing two fire stations.

He asked: "Can you tell me, Ajanta, if this council has any plans to reduce the number of fire engines or shut any fire stations in our communities?"

In response, Cllr Hilton said she was "very happy to announce that we have no plans to close any fire stations or on-call sites at all".

Stating that residents, colleagues and staff would find that "very reassuring", Cllr Bright went on to highlight the work of the county's fire service.

"Our fire and rescue service people work long hours, odd hours and especially at times when we may be off celebrating with families over holidays, such as Christmas and so on," he said.

"Would you, on behalf of all of Hertfordshire but also of this council, pass on thanks to our fire and rescue people for keeping Hertfordshire as safe as they do across the whole year and for taking the time that they do when we may be off celebrating and making sure that we stay safe in our towns and communities."

Cllr Hilton said that she was happy to do so and cited the latest group of new recruits with, she said, "the highest ever proportion of females ever in our county".