A ROVING “vicar in a van” is to be cut to save Essex County Fire and Rescue Service about £30,000.

The service said it will not be renewing its partnership with the Diocese of Chelmsford, as part of its bid to save £7million following the Government’s comprehensive spending review.

Stephen Rice, who was trained by the diocese of Chelmsford as a lay evangelist, was appointed as the fire safety evangelist four years ago to target vulnerable groups with fire safety advice.

The role costs the service about £30,000 a year, which includes the cost of seconding an employee, a uniform and a van.

The aim was for him to make visits to vulnerable people who have connections with their local church, in order to undertake fire safety visits, fit smoke detectors, and offer pastoral and spiritual care.

Matt Furber, the fire service’s head of community safety, said: “This has been an extremely valuable partnership and we are sorry to have to bring it to an end.

“I am certain we will continue to work with the diocese again at sometime in the future. However, in the current financial climate, we cannot continue to justify the cost of this particular scheme when we have to divert more limited resources to a greater number of people within the community.”

The scheme will finish when the current agreement comes to an end in January.

A spokesman for the diocese said it hoped the fire service would be able to review its decision in time.

“This fire safety champion has supported the vital work in protecting vulnerable groups,” he said.

“The partnership with the diocese has been held up as an example of best practice nationally and its value has been recognised by government.

“The diocese remains committed to working in partnership with others towards shared objectives.”

The scheme is one of a number of community safety activities that are being reviewed as part of the service’s cost cutting programme.