Wiltshire Council has finally given its backing to the merger between Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service at a meeting of the full council today.

The council had already stalled twice on giving a view over the future of the fire authority, despite a motion being put forward by Trowbridge councillor Jeff Osborn to back the merger.

It previously voted not to commit to any option until concerns about the gap in funding, uncertainly with regard to equalisation of precepts and the governance arrangements, which the council said could disadvantage Wiltshire, were addressed.

However, after receiving a report from Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority chairman Chris Devine, the council supported the merger, which is expected to come into existence on April 1, 2016.

“There were three areas of concern expressed by the council and because of those it felt unable to fully support the merger for 2016,” said Cllr Devine.

“I would like to think I have now addressed those three areas of concern that the council was worried about and I hope the vote will support the merger.”

Some councillors were critical of the council after it stalled on giving a view at its last meeting in October, including former fire authority chairman Graham Payne.

Cllr Payne said at the meeting at County Hall: “I have never been in doubt that this is the only way forward and the fact that it has taken such a long and tortuous route has been unfortunate.

“I think it would have been better to get this response back in the affirmative before Christmas and get it through the Government statutory process. If it is approved today, I hope we haven’t missed the boat.”

But Leader of Wiltshire Council Jane Scott defended the council’s decision to wait for assurances before supporting the merger between the two fire authorities.

Cllr Scott said: “There has been a lot of talk about the fact I was trying to stop this from happening. I wasn’t, but I think this council should take a mature and grown up view on something that would affect our residents.

“I’m glad we asked those questions and the answers are positive. I think it was good work by this council on behalf of the residents we represent and I wish the fire authority well in the future.”

It is anticipated the Government will reduce funding for the fire authority by half in the next few years, which amounts to 20 per cent of the service’s budget.

Among solutions being considered in a bid to avoid frontline cuts was the merger, which was backed by a three-month public consultation.

The Government previously announced £5.54m of funds to enable the merger, if the option was taken up.