Agenda and draft minutes

Committee members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personalinterest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it.  If in doubt please contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

30.1     No interests were declared.

The Committee is asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2023(cream paper).

31.1     Resolved – that the Committee agrees the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2023 and that they be signed by the Chairman.

The Committee is asked to note the responses to recommendations made at previous meetings of the Committee.

32.1     Resolved – that the Committee notes the responses.

Report by the Chief Fire Officer.

The report provides a context to the Performance and Assurance Framework for the purpose of future scrutiny of the Executive’s approach to performance.

33.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Fire Officer (copy appended to the signed minutes).

33.2     Summary of responses to members’ questions and comments: -

·           There is no pattern to the recent accidental dwelling fires – targeted advice and broader communication campaigns are carried out by the Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) to reduce these incidents which are carefully monitored to spot trends which would then influence future prevention advice or targeted safe and well activity

·           There were no occasions where the FRS managed an unwanted fire signal that turned out to be a fire or other more serious incident

·           Close monitoring of the impact of the unwanted fire signal policy and call challenging protocols are in place to ensure any such occurrence could be analysed and any lessons learned that were necessary

·           There are no identified practices or activities within the FRS that evidence that Musculo-skeletal or mental ill-health exacerbate absences from work

·           Intervention by the FRS prevented 30,000 people in Bognor Regis losing their electricity supply during a recent storm

·           Although there was no measure that showed the reduction of properties with unsatisfactory fire safety audits, actions by the FRS (including audits, education and possible enforcement) had led to fewer incidents

·           An advantage of the FRS being part of the County Council is that it and Adults’ Services work closely together, with the FRS reporting safeguarding issues to Adults’ Services and Adults’ Services advising the FRS where safe & well visits are required

·           Both full time and retained staff are trained in recognising safeguarding issues

·           An internal report showed that the Joint Fire Control (JFC) performance has improved, but the same audit report also identified that there is no process for ensuring or providing assurance of performance data and no independent assurance over the operation of the JFC including IT systems.  It was noted that these matters are being discussed with Surrey Fire & Rescue Service

·           The FRS has people and human resources data that helps it identify areas for targeted recruitment campaigns for RDS and wholetime staff

·           A shortfall in the number of retained fire fighters does not affect the adequate crewing of frontline engines

·           There was a query on the breakdown of causes of sickness absence – ACTION: The FRS to consider if the Committee can be provided with figures separated into sickness due to work related and non-work related sickness, including those who left service on ill health grounds, providing no individuals could be identified by doing this

33.3     Resolved – that the Committee: -

     i.        Thanks the service for the work undertaken at the Bognor Regis substation incident saving the electricity of 30,000 people in that area

    ii.        Requests further information on whether the increase in fire safety audits leads to an increase of unsatisfactory fire safety audits

   iii.        Welcomes the work on safeguarding referrals with Adults’ Services, noting how well this relationship works with both being under the same organisation

  iv.        Notes that the actual figure for full shifts where there is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Report by Director of Finance and Support Services, setting out the finance and performance position as at the end of December 2023.

The Committee is asked to examine the data and supporting commentary for the Performance and Resources report and make any recommendations for action to the Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue.

34.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Fire Officer (copy appended to the signed minutes).

34.2     Summary of members’ comments: -

·         The FRS is not included in the Corporate Risk Register as a mitigation against climate change as this is a service risk rather than corporate one

·         The FRS takes great care of personal data

·         The Committee questioned whether it has the information to look at whether the service delivers value for money

34.3     Resolved – that the Committee asks the service to consider how it can look at value for money going forward, possibly on an annual basis

Report by the Chief Fire Officer.

The Committee is asked to consider the report recognising the advancements achieved in response to the Task and Finish Group's recommendations.

35.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Fire Officer (copy appended to the signed minutes).

35.2     Summary of responses to members’ questions and comments: -

·         The FRS receives an average of 40 enquiries a quarter about becoming retained fire fighters

·         In the latest quarter, 22 had passed the physical test, seven more than needed

·         The FRS supports retained staff that fail the test they need to pass to become full time to further develop their skills so they have a better chance of passing in future

·         Whilst staff can move from being retained to full time, it is hoped that some that do also keep their retained duties

·         There has been a 20% increase in female retained staff

·         Retained staff want an improved structure for claiming for the work they do

35.3     Resolved – that the Committee

                i.      Welcomes the additional performance measure proposed for this area

               ii.      Will further assess this work through the reporting of the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan and agreed to close the Task & Finish Group

Extract from the Forward Plan dated 19 February 2024 – attached.

An extract from any Forward Plan relevant to the Committee’s portfolio published between the date of despatch of the agenda and the date of the meeting will be tabled at the meeting.

The Committee is asked to consider whether it wishes to enquire into any of the forthcoming decisions within its portfolio.

36.1     Resolved – that the Committee notes the Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

The Committee to review its draft work programme taking into consideration the checklist at Appendix A.

37.1     Resolved - that the Committee agrees its Work Programme.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on 17 June 2024 at 10.30 am at County Hall, Chichester.  Probable agenda items include:

·         Fire and Rescue Service Strategic Performance Report

·         Quarterly Performance and Resources Report

Any member wishing to place an item on the agenda for the meeting must notify the Director of Law and Assurance by 31 May 2024.

38.1     The next meeting of the Committee will take place on 17 June 2024 at 10.30am.