A CONTROVERSIAL review into the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was rejected by council bosses this evening (Monday).

The review — which included proposals to reduce the number of whole time firefighters crewing an engine from five to four, and cutting 15 per cent of the Island's firefighting workforce —was rejected by a vote of seven to one, with one abstention.

Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart said: "If this cabinet is to endorse a paper it must be full, comprehensive and adequate."

Cllr Stewart also submitted three recommendations, which were approved by seven votes, with two abstentions.

The approved recommendations mean the council will proactively seek to recruit retained firefighters, and that the Fire Brigades Union will be invited to join the council's joint consultative management meeting. Cllr Stewart also said jobs would not be cut until the cabinet has considered an impact report.

Chief fire officer Neil Odin said he would be bringing a revised review back before the council in October.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Odin said: "This is part of democracy, making sure that plans are scrutinised, and they have been scrutinised.

"They want to see more detail around the shift arrangements — we couldn't do that today because we needed a conversation with our people.

"I'm not disappointed about it because I think it gives us a useful steer and now we can continue to work on making this fire and rescue service as good as it can possibly be."