Former Kirklees leader to leave fire authority

LEAVING POST Coun Mehboob Khan has left his position as chairman of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

Mehboob Khan left the position with effect from midnight May 23.

He said: “I have greatly enjoyed my time as chair here and have been impressed and encouraged by the high degree of professionalism and dedication shown by officers

“I have had the opportunity of working with an excellent set of senior managers and two chief fire officers, together with high calibre elected members.

Coun Khan gave credit to his Liberal Democrat and Conservative predecessors, and to the cross-party basis of the fire authority, which he said led to it being one of the best performing in the country.

“These are very challenging times and decisions taken over the past two years have put the authority in a strong position.

“We can’t take our foot off the accelerator, the authority needs to move forward and look at all possible ways of reducing costs whilst trying not to be drawn into disputes which are not of the authority’s making.”

Coun Khan had occupied the position since June 2012.