Issue - meetings

Report by the Chief Fire Officer.

The Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Services Scrutiny Committee will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of their Committee on the Fire and Rescue Service Statement of Assurance.  

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes each on the Fire and Rescue Service Statement of Assurance.

Cabinet Members will be asked to approve the Fire and Rescue Service Statement of Assurance and Annual Report 2020/21.

Following consideration of the report, Cabinet resolved to approve the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Annual Statement of Assurance 2020-21.

The call-in deadline is 14 December 2021.

33.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Fire Officer. The report was introduced by Cllr Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue who advised the statement of assurance was a statutory requirement to provide assurance on financial, governance and operational matters. Cllr Crow outlined that the pandemic had placed extra demands and challenges on the service but that it had been a strong year against this backdrop. Mark Andrews, Deputy Chief Fire Officer added the statement was a reflection of the business plan and shows the service to be resilient and on target to meet its statutory duties.

33.2            Cllr Kevin Boram, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee said the Committee reviewed the report in detail and agreed it was an accurate representation of performance during a demanding time. The Committee recommended a number of changes for future reports to give better financial comparisons and more narrative around recovery from major incidents. The Committee was pleased to note that the Horsham Fire Station and Training Centre was on track through additional investment.

33.3            Resolved – that Cabinet approve the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Annual Statement of Assurance 2020-21.