Chief Fire Officer Stephen Hunter had wanted to remove full-time night cover at the Broughty Ferry station in order to allow a full-time dayshift in Forfar.

This would have seen Balmossie manned by a part-time retained crew between 6pm and 8am.

However, the board today bowed to public demand and dropped the plan that had provoked outrage from the local community and the fire-fighters’ union, the FBU, many of whose members attended today’s meeting in Perth.

However, it is anything but dead in the water and could resurface when next year’s action-plan is prepared.

Emotions were high on both sides of the argument during the 50-minute debate that preceded the decision. Convener of the board, Councillor Ken Lyall, was first to speak in favour of changing the set-up. He said, “This was discussed last year and, though rejected, I think it was the right proposal.

“I hope you will be able to support it this year. In Forfar and Brechin there are similar stations and it seems to me it’s only fair to have an equal service in these stations. I see that as simply improving service.

“There is a clear message from all the local authorities (Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and Angus) that this service has to make savings.”

It was acknowledged, though, that the Balmossie decision was “cost neutral”.

Mr Lyall was seconded by vice-convener, Councillor Christina Roberts, who stated, “Misguided emotion should not be allowed to cloud your judgement.

“The board has a legal and moral responsibility to do the best we can for Tayside. Fellow-vice convener, Councillor John Whyte, said, “I find it disappointing to hear the FBU referring to use of retained personnel as downgrading.

“Retained fire-fighters provide excellent service in towns like Brechin and Montrose.

“They could and would provide as good a service in the Balmossie area.”

Another strong supporter of change was Angus Council leader, Councillor Bob Myles, who insisted any political allegiances should be “left at the door”.

He said, “This decision seems to have been hijacked by a general election and politicians are jumping on bandwagons.

“If we lived in an ideal world every fire station would be full-time.

“If we retained Balmossie as it is, who would be the losers? The silent majority and the rest of Tayside.”

Bailie Rod Wallace represents the ward in which Balmossie sits and said if he voted in favour of the plan he would be “stabbing Balmossie in the back” and would “not be listening to the concerns of my constituents”.

In recommending the status quo be maintained, he added, “I represent the Broughty Ferry ward and I make no apologies for making it quite clear my first duty is to my constituents and the city of Dundee.

“Ignore the voices of the people at your peril.

“It takes a lot for them to get fired up to sign petitions, but they were queuing up to sign this one (over 5000).The people are angry.

“They spoke loudly in 2009 and are speaking even more loudly in 2010. Leave Balmossie alone.”

He was seconded by Councillor Richard McCready, who said, “We can’t justify holding a public consultation then not recognise responses we receive. The case for downgrading has not been made.”

Councillor David Fairweather — an independent — voted for the change and suggested that “anybody voting politically should not be sitting on this board and members who go against this should be ashamed”.

Summing up his position before going to the vote, councillor Lyall warned again “there is a good chance it will come up in the future”. However, he insisted, “Balmossie will never be closed”.

Meanwhile, Broughty Councillor Laurie Bidwell has called on Dundee councillor Christina Roberts to resign as vice chairperson of the Tayside Fire and Rescue board.

Responding to today’s decision not to downgrade Balmossie, he accused Mrs Roberts of ignoring a decision by a council committee and her fellow councillors on the board.

He said, “This is a victory for common sense. I want to thank the thousands in Broughty Ferry who submitted objections and made councillors on the Fire & Rescue Board think again.

“That is no bad thing in a democracy.”