Agenda item

Report by the Director of Law and Assurance.

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 response to the Fire Reform White Paper consultation.

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes each on the response to the Fire Reform White Paper consultation.

The Cabinet will then discuss the report and the proposed consultation response.

10.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Law and Assurance. The report was introduced by Cllr Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue who outlined the Fire Reform White Paper proposals, which focussed on three themes: people, professionalism and governance. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer added that the proposals would give more flexibility in the use of resources which will help to achieve the aims of the council plan. Local bargaining could be challenging and whilst a consistent approach through a National College of Fire and Rescue would be welcome, clarity on funding arrangements is needed.

10.2            Cllr Kevin Boram, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee supported the planned response and the alignment with the council plan objective. The Fire and Rescue Service has good access to communities to serve residents flexibly. He highlighted the fundamental need for buildings to be safe and the knowledge that the Fire Service has could play a greater role in the design of the built estate. Cllr Boram welcomed better sharing of data and consistent entry requirements into the Fire Service, however cautioned about possible exclusion of those who enter the Fire Service through different routes.

10.3            Cllr Caroline Baxter, Leader of the Labour Group felt the paper covered a number of complex issues, including those around pay and conditions. Cllr Baxter considered that the paper and questions in the consultation did not propose any improvements above the current position in West Sussex. Cllr Baxter said the paper failed to recognise that the Police and the Fire Service were very different models and therefore to transfer responsibility to the Police and Crime Commissioner did not seem sensible.

10.4            The following points were made by Cabinet Members in discussion:

Ø  Cllr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing felt the current arrangements in West Sussex reflect the ambitions of the White Paper and meet the needs of the community. He supported national pay bargaining but felt the distinction between this and the current system not allowing for local negotiation could be clarified in the response.

Ø  Cllr Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change supported the Cabinet Member’s recommendations in particular opposing budget ringfencing in order to maintain flexibility over service delivery for residents.

Ø  Cllr Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property thanked the fire service for their excellent work. He agreed that ringfencing funding is not a good option as it could prohibit investment into the service and any potential efficiencies which result in a better outcome.

Ø  Cllr Paul Marshall, Leader of the Council highlighted the benefits of service flexibility in West Sussex, particularly in areas of prevention work. It is key for the Council to be able to engage locally in what pay and reward structures look like due to the other vital work that the service undertakes with communities. Consistency through a National College is desirable, however funding commitments and expectations need to be clarified. The Leader added that the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee is a critical function which provides oversight in areas of performance and policy and is effective in its work. The current model of governance in West Sussex is accountable and firmly established which accords with the aspirations of the White Paper.

10.5            Cllr Duncan Crow summarised that the current model in West Sussex is accountable and appropriate for the county and its residents.

10.6            Resolved – that Cabinet supports the proposals in the report and the specific recommendations for inclusion in the council’s response to the consultation as follows:

1.   To strongly oppose any change to the current governance of fire and rescue within the County Council.

2.   To strongly oppose the ring-fencing of a fire and rescue budget so as to retain flexibility locally.

3.   To endorse the operational independence of the Chief Fire Officer, as currently provided for at the County Council.

4.   To ask that any additional national resources such as a Fire College are backed with the necessary funding.

5.   To clarify the benefits of national pay bargaining whilst securing greater local flexibility on service improvements and skill recognition.