A JOINT consultative committee involving members of the Essex Fire Authority, trade unions and associations has been formed following the recent strike action over budget cuts.

The group met for the first time last week, but the Fire Brigades Union did not attend what group chairman Cllr Les Double described as a "constructive" meeting.

He said: "Future meetings will provide a forum for fire authority members and representatives of our employees to meet and discuss issues of mutual concern."

In an appeal to the Fire Brigades Union, Mr Double said: "My colleagues and I share the belief that it is vital that the Fire Brigades Union joins us at the next meeting on December to ensure that its members' views are represented."

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