Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Personnel Committee

Item 3

14 November 2001

CFS Activities - SRB Bids/Funding Opportunities

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Contact:

Chris Bacon

Temp/Assistant Chief Fire Officer

Tel: 023 8064 4000 ext 207

1.

Introduction

1.1

The Community Fire Safety (CFS) thematic review carried out by the Home Office Inspectorate encouraged fire authorities wherever possible to work in partnership with other agencies to deliver community safety education.

1.2

The intention was to engage in 'joined up' initiatives for the benefit of local communities. A large part of the Government's agenda is to tackle social exclusion, poverty and crime. HFRS has been working with crime & disorder/community safety panels of the 13 district councils to engage in community fire safety initiatives.

2.

Current CFS Activities

2.1

Many CFS activities impact on local communities and link with the Government's agenda for social inclusion, etc., in particular:

Home risk assessment/fitting smoke detectors

Arson reduction

Young Firefighters Association

Firesetters Intervention Scheme

Development of a 'Community Fire Station' at St Mary's

2.2

There has been a steady increase in these initiatives which have been very effective. However, an opportunity has arisen to increase these activities in the Southampton area and to receive funding for the development of current and additional CFS activities.

3

Single Regeneration Budget Southampton City Council

3.1

We have already made a bid for Single Rgeneration Budget funding of £130,000 over a 5-year period to carry out CFS activities in the Redbridge Hill area. This will enable expansion and development of the initiatives above, and in addition see opportunities to develop work experience and Prince's Trust schemes for local unemployed people. Part of the funding will provide for accommodation/office equipment/ IT at Redbridge Hill fire station/or at Divisional HQ for a 'Community Safety Officer' employed by Southampton City Council to co-ordinate all the activities in the area.

3.2

There will be a further funding opportunity in the Thornhill area adjacent to Hightown fire station and for greater involvement in the community by HFRS. Discussions are in progress on this issue but the likelihood is that this could be a long-term (10 to 20 years) project with significant funding to provide a Community Liaison Officer and develop other CFS activities including arson reduction.

4

Financial Implications

4.1

The principle for SRB funding is that there should be 'matched' funding by the partners. This can be directly by way of finance or 'payment in kind', e.g., a proportion of a postholder's time allocated to the project.

4.2

We have indicated the number of hours already provided by HFRS staff in CFS activities, which, when costed, more than covers the matched funding element of our bids. However, there may be slightly increased divisional administrative costs which will be contained within existing budgets.

5

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

5.1

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Recommendations

1

That the Single Regeneration Budget bids to Southampton City Council be welcomed.

2

That the initiative to apply for further Single Regeneration Budget funding to cover additional Community Fire Safety activities be endorsed.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report.

None

NB The list excludes:

1 Published works

2 Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act

File name [HFRA Personnel 14 Nov 01 - CFS Activities SRB Bids.doc]