BEST VALUE REVIEW : DRIVER TRAINING

Recommendations / Comments

Actions to Date

2.3 Are we competitive in the market place?

Not to pursue external providers at this stage

The European Commission have amended the minimum driving test requirements that must be adopted by all member states. These amendments shall be phased in from 2003-2010. Possible implications regarding LGV initial driver from 2010 shall be considered in the future regarding our current provision of LGV training.

Provision of external providers shall be reviewed through the Training Needs Analysis, conducted by the Training function.

Work continues to ensure that we are able to deliver training to a high standard within the legal requirements.

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BEST VALUE REVIEW : CONTROL & COMMUNICATIONS

Recommendations

Actions to Date

1.1 A brief description of the current service

The current system is to be monitored to ensure the Service is kept abreast of changes in technology.

EISEC functionality has been added to the Command & Control system. The ISDN telephone lines have been installed to Service Headquarters and we are now waiting for Vivista, our Command and Control/telephone system supplier, to complete the installation and testing. This work should be completed in the near future.

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BEST VALUE SCOPING STUDY : PROCUREMENT

Recommendations

Action to Date

9.1.4 Obtained access to accurate information about is own procurement performance and compared it with that of other authorities?

Benchmarking and comparisons to continue in pursuit of Best Value and good practice

When appointed the Procurement Manager will assess opportunities for comparative benchmarking.

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9.1.5 Consult with staff, other authorities, and stakeholders of the BV Review?

Review the procedure for delivery of goods and services in the light of comments from the staff survey.

This review not commenced, subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager

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9.2.1 Show that users of goods and services have accessible channels to provide feedback

Introduce a formalised system for obtaining feedback from 'customers/end users'

Planned to be undertaken in conjunction with 9.1.4

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9.3.1 Deliver new goods and service to users within budget and on time?

Annual questionnaire to end users to check on customer satisfaction

Will be done over the next twelve months to tie in with 9.1.4

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9.3.2 Have a project plan for all on-going procurement projects?

Issue updates to all major plans at regular intervals

To form part of the Procurement Manager's responsibilities when appointed

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9.4.1 Specifications for goods and services formulated in consultation with other stakeholders.

Document decisions /evaluation to demonstrate best value adherence

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager

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9.4.2 Service requirements are specified in terms of output and performance, rather than how it providers the service?

Any agreements including those made orally, should be recorded so that both customer and suppliers know where they stand.

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager

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9.4.4 Specifications are drawn up in accordance with relevant UK and UK Legislation and standards?

Personnel should be kept aware of UK and EU legislation affecting the service.

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager.

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9.5.1 Evaluate options for meeting performance specifications.

Establish a robust list of suppliers

An initial list of suppliers has now been established.

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9.5.4 Delegate other purchasing decisions to a level appropriate to the value and strategic importance of the goods/ services?

Ensure a robust trail and list of staff authorised to take procurement decisions

The Procurement Manager will include this in a process guidance document. HCC Financial Regulations now finalised and with Financial Services Manager for consideration and amendment where appropriate. Training for personnel planned for completion by 31 December 2003. Some delay possible due to the implications of us becoming a 'precepting authority'.

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9.6.1 Provide financial standing orders to give guidance on contracts for supply of goods and services.

As detailed above

Financial Standing Orders flowchart produced. Considered and approved by SMT. HCC Financial Regulations now finalised and with Financial Services Manager for consideration and amendment where appropriate. Training for personnel planned for completion by 31 December 2003. Some delay possible due to the implications of us becoming a 'precepting authority'.

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9.6.2 Promote competition for specialised products and services by shortlisting potential bidders?

As detailed above

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager

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9.6.3 Ensure that its competitive processes comply with UK and EU legislation?

That importance of compliance with regulations be reinforced.

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager

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9.6.7 Take into account acquisition costs; operating costs; maintenance; replacement costs and training costs?

That wholelife and training costs should be taken into account.

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager.

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9.7.1 Ensure that contractors and suppliers operate an Equal Opportunity Policy?

Form a part of the HFRS Procurement Strategy and all suppliers on the Approved List should have an Equal Opportunity Policy.

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager.

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9.7.5 Involve users and suppliers in detailing service standards within a flexible performance contract?

User/supplier input to be encouraged as part of the HFRS Procurement Strategy. The scope for flexible performance contracts to be assessed.

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager

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9.7.7 Keep the number of suppliers to the minimum to meet business needs and to sustain competition.

An approved supplier list to be compiled by the Procurement Manager

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager.

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9.8.1 Obtain feedback from users and communicate this to suppliers in a structured manner dealing with quality issues as they arise?

Establish a reporting procedure for customer feedback.

To be completed by October 2003.

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9.8.4 Develop key performance indicators with suppliers and ensure than they are acted on?

The opportunity to develop PI's for the supply of some goods and services to be considered.

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager

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9.9.4 Fully appraise the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of existing procurement arrangements?

The benefits of carrying our 'SWOT' analyses to be promoted in HFRS Procurement Strategy.

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager

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9.9.5 Review existing specifications and performance standards?

Establish procedure to check on performance from purchase (specifications) to user satisfaction (performance standard).

Subject to the appointment of a Procurement Manager

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BEST VALUE REVIEW : FIRE SAFETY

Recommendations

Action to Date

1. Fire Safety boundaries do not replicate local council boundaries

Align commands to geographical council boundaries, formulating three Technical Fire Safety Commands and ten Operational Group Commands.

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2. Reduce fires, deaths and injuries by measuring and comparing performance across range of local initiatives.

Develop local performance indicators to demonstrate the effectiveness of fire safety work undertaken.

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3. Identification of next generation IT support systems for Fire Safety.

Develop a user specification for the replacement of the current IT system. Improve communication by promulgating effective, clear, jargon free information, whilst regularly communicating with hard-to-reach groups.

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4. Address identified weaknesses in training.

Introduce a training programme to develop competencies for personnel in function align training to IPDS.

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5. Implement organisational charges required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.

Implement the 'risk-based inspection programme'.

Review the requirement of CAD upon the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.

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6. Assess the effectiveness of joint Fire Safety related training with other partner organisations.

Review the benefits of joint training with other agencies (Building Control, Environmental Health).

Develop links to educate local businesses on legislation, review collaborative measures.

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7. Are we competitive in the market place with regard to Fire Investigation?

Prepare for the anticipated Thematic Review of Fire Investigation.

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8. Reduce the number and impact of unwanted fire calls from AFD and malicious callers.

Monitor fire alarm calls to reduce unwanted calls.

Pursue successful strategies, identify 'best practice', and share outcomes with occupiers who generate a high number of false alarms, and 'family group' members.

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