Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority	Item
Best Value Committee
19 June 2002
Best Value Review of Fire Safety - Project Outline
Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Contact:		John Bonney, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tel: 023 8064 4000 Ext 207
1	Introduction
1.1	Attached is a draft Project Outline for the Best Value Review of Fire Safety.
1.2	The Committee will need to determine member representation on the review. It is suggested that up to three members should join the team.
2	European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998
2.1	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 Project Outline be approved.
2	That the Committee determines representation on the Best Value Review of Fire Safety.
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
Dir.fin HFRA BV 19 6 02 Fire Safety JMW/11/6/02

HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

BEST VALUE REVIEW OF FIRE SAFETY

PROJECT OUTLINE

1	INTRODUCTION
	The Local Government Act 1999 places a statutory duty on local authorities to demonstrate Best Value. In order to do this, the Fire Authority must show that its services meet the needs and priorities of the population, in the most efficient, effective and economic manner.
	Current changes within fire safety legislation, the desire of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to drive cultural change toward a Community Safety agenda, and guidance from Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate, have raised the need to conduct a Best Value review of the Fire Safety function.
2	PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE REVIEW
	It is the aim of this review to examine the operation of the Fire Safety function and demonstrate Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services desire to secure continuous improvement.
3	METHODOLOGY
	The review will focus on the processes and procedures behind the key areas of the function, such as legislative enforcement, fire investigation and unwanted fire calls. Community Safety is programmed to receive a detailed review in 2003/04 (as per Programme of Major Reviews), but as a part of this project, it will be subject to a preliminary review as part of the Fire Safety Function.
	Reviewing current practices, processes, systems, resources and structural arrangements used within the Fire Safety function, the review will:
	3.1	Challenge
		Challenge why and how the services are being provided;
	3.2	Compare
		Invite comparison with other brigades, local authorities and the private sector across a range of indicators and best value practices;
	3.3	Consult
		Consult with a cross section of employees, service-users, local authorities, fire authorities and the private sector with a view to setting new performance targets;
	3.4	Compete
		Where fair competition can be sought, the review will comment if this can be embraced as a means of securing efficient and effective services.
4	TERMS OF REFERENCE
	For the purposes of the review we shall need to consider:
	· Management of Fire Safety · Community Fire Safety · Fire Safety Policies and Procedures · Fire Investigation · Reduction in Unwanted Fire Alarm Calls
	following this pattern, it is suggested that the terms of reference should include:
	4.1	Management of Fire Safety
	i	Review Current Fire Safety objectives in line with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Corporate Plan
	ii	Review the functional split between Community and Technical Safety
	iii	Review the number and location of Inspecting Officers
	iv	Review performance monitoring and quality control
	v	Review the level, location and requirement of administrative and CAD support, including I.T. systems and programmes.
	4.2	Community Fire Safety
	i	Review the recommendations held within the Thematic Review on Community Safety, and the impact this has had upon Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
	ii	Assess what further work and resources are needed in order to address the recommendations held within the Thematic Review
	iii	Review the interrelationship between Community Safety and Operations in the achievement of Community Safety targets and objectives
	4.3	Fire Safety Policies and Procedures
	i	Review the current workloads undertaken for legislative fire safety {inc The Fire Precautions Act 1971; The Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (as amended)} and that of `agency' work
	ii	Review training and level of experience of current Inspecting Officers
	iii	Review performance in relation to BVPI 147 (average time to issue fire safety certificates)
	iv	Review current consultation arrangements with; Building Control, Environmental Health, Licensing and Registration Authorities.
	v	Review the understanding of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (as amended) by industry, trade and commerce
	vi	Compare the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service risk based inspection programme to that of other fire brigades
	4.4	Fire Investigation
	i	Review the existing level of establishment within the Fire Investigation Team
	ii	Review resource allocation and budgetary requirements of Fire Investigation
	iii	Review training, experience levels and use of current Fire Investigation Officers.
	iv	Review the number of investigations undertaken, in relation to the positive use of evidence
	4.5	Reduction in Unwanted Fire Alarm Calls
	i	Review the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service response to automatic fire alarms as compared to that of other brigades
	ii	Review the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service policy in dealing with persistent unwanted fire alarm call offenders
	iii	Review current partnership working with other agencies in relation to unwanted fire calls
5	ACTION PLAN
	In conjunction with the Terms of Reference, an action plan will need to prepared as part of the Best Value Review. It is suggested that the following areas are addressed:
	Phase 1 - Where are we now?
	· A brief description of the current services
	· The level and way the services are provided at present
	· Current aim and objectives
	· Existing performance indicators, targets and standards
	Phase 2 - What was found during the review?
	· Do we achieve our aims and objectives?
	· Why do we provide these services?
	· How do service users and others view our services?
	· How do we compare with best practice?
	· Are we competitive in the marketplace?
	Phase 3 - Where we want to go?
	· Should these services be provided at all?
	· Can these be achieved in a radically different way?
	· At what level and in what way?
	· What aims and objectives?
	· What performance indicators, targets and standards?
	Phase 4 - How will we get there?
	· What priorities and key tasks should we deliver?
	· What risks and obstacles will we tackle?
	· How will progress be reviewed?
6	TIMETABLE
	It is suggested that the timetable for the review be as per Appendix A (Technical Fire Safety Plan) attached.
7	REVIEW MANAGEMENT
	The review will be managed through a Working Group, which will report to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Best Value Committee on a regular basis.
	It is proposed that the Working Group include:
	Chairman		DCFO John Bonney
	Elected Members		TBN
	Deputy Chairman		SDO Chris Bacon
	Review Manager		ADO Mark Wittcomb
	Performance Review Manager		Phil Webb
	Representative Bodies:		Fire Brigades Union : TBN
			Unison : Sue Brumitt
	Customer Reps		DO Martin Simpson ADO Chris Stephens
			Peter Chilvers (Winchester Building Control)
	Secretary		TBN
8	REVIEW MEETING DATES
	A draft schedule of meeting dates has been drawn up to coincide with the need for regular reports and updates to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service committees and Service Management.
	Tuesday 09 07 02
	Tuesday 06 08 02
	Tuesday 10 09 02
	Tuesday 08 10 02
	Tuesday 05 11 02
	Tuesday 10 12 02
	Dates for 2003 to be confirmed in the later period of 2002.
	Further nominations for selected intermediate meetings to be confirmed where required.
	Assistant Divisional Officer Mark Wittcomb Review Manager
	May 2002

Appendix A

Providing a responsive service for advice, consultation and enforcement of Fire Safety legislation

It is the aim of HFRS to provide a quality and consistently high standard of service to the public it serves. We will meet the nationally recognised standards laid down in the `Principles of Good Enforcement', which sets out the level of service and performance the public and business can expect to receive. The Technical Fire Safety plan is focused towards improving Service delivery in four key areas for achievement.

Commence review and update of the `risk assessment' audit based inspection process

May 2002