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1 |
Introduction |
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1.1 |
At its last meeting the Committee resolved: |
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"That the proposed best value reviews of Support Services and Vehicle Workshops be postponed; and that the need to undertake them in the future be reassessed in the context of other initiatives being taken to examine the scope for regional collaboration on these and other functions and activities." |
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1.2 |
This report reconsiders the situation taking into account: issues emerging within the regional context; the Authority's current position in terms of its future strategic aims and objectives - as well as its capacity to undertake Best Value Reviews during 2004/05. |
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2 |
The regional context |
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2.1 |
Since taking that decision, the Government has now published - for consultation - its draft National Framework for the fire and rescue service. As anticipated, the Framework sets out responsibilities for Regional Management Boards (which have to be in place by 1 April 2004) such that they should: |
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· integrate common and specialist services · put in place effective resilience plans for large-scale emergencies; · introduce regional personnel and human resource functions; · develop a regional approach to training; · establish regional control rooms; and · introduce regional procurement within the context of a national procurement strategy.
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2.2 |
As previously explained, these regional responsibilities and expectations have - or should have - implications for the scope, rationale and timing of any fire authority's future programme of best value (and other) reviews. |
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2.3 |
Members will recall that all fire authorities have previously undertaken - as a statutory requirement - best value reviews of their control and communications, and procurement functions. These were undertaken prior to the publication of the Independent (Bain) Review of the fire service and the Government's subsequent White Paper, both of which concluded that there had been insufficient progress by fire and rescue authorities on the potential for collaborative working. It was not surprising, therefore, that the Government is now pursuing (via the National Framework) its determination for greater collaboration through the expectations now set for Regional Management Boards. |
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2.4 |
Fire Service Circular 17/2003 (issued 04 December 2003) confirmed the Government's intention for Best Value to become a more flexible performance management tool. For the fire and rescue service, this means a move away from nationally specified thematic reviews towards local scoping and timing of Best Value Reviews. Indeed, the mandatory review of training services has already been revoked. However, the ODPM also recognises the important role the Regional Management Boards will have in enabling more effective joint and cross-cutting reviews. |
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2.5 |
While the South East Regional Forum has given early consideration to how it might tackle these areas for collaboration, the opportunity has not yet been taken to pursue any of them as Best Value Reviews. In the case of control rooms and procurement, it might be argued that there is little point in carrying out further best value reviews of these functions as there is a presumption - on the part of the Government at least - that collaboration at a regional level will offer better value to the public. In other areas (e.g. the provision of specialist services, human resource management, training delivery) it would seem reasonable that the cost-benefit of collaboration at a regional (or sub-regional) level is examined through the application of the Best Value methodology. There certainly seems no real benefit in tackling these from a purely local (fire and rescue authority) perspective. |
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2.6 |
It is recommended that the Authority be asked to encourage the South East Forum to consider the potential for tackling at least some of the six areas for regional collaboration as future Best Value Reviews; or, at the very least, using Best Value methodology. |
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3 |
The local context |
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3.1 |
There will be increasing pressures on all fire and rescue authorities' resources during 2004/05 as the modernisation agenda continues to be progressed. |
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3.2 |
Integrated Risk Management Plans will need to be further developed. The Authority has already identified `Year 1' (2004/05) actions that themselves constitute a number of specific reviews of current performance and service delivery. Some are likely to be undertaken using a Best Value Review approach and methodology. |
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3.3 |
The Authority's Corporate Plan needs to be updated to ensure that it fully embraces the strategic aims and actions emerging from the IRMP process itself, as well as all the other issues and expectations arising from the modernisation agenda (particularly those in response to the National Framework and Fire and Rescue Services Bill). If, as would be preferred, a programme of regional joint or cross cutting Best Value Reviews is established, then this would clearly have implications for what areas might be tackled at the Authority level. |
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3.4 |
It would seem illogical to determine (and prioritise) a programme of local Best Value Reviews (for 2004/05) until further progress has been made in consolidating the impact of all these interrelated strategic and contextual issues; and because of the uncertainty about how the areas for regional collaboration will be pursued. |
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3.5 |
However, there is one area of activity for which it might be particularly useful and timely to conduct a Best Value Review, and that concerns vehicle maintenance. This was a review originally scheduled to take place during 2003/04, but was postponed for reasons previously presented to the Committee. Members will be aware that plans are being drawn up for building development at the Headquarters site. The Asset Management Panel has asked that these should take into account the possibility of eventually relocating vehicle workshops from its current site in Winchester to the Headquarters site. It would be reasonable to expect that a project appraisal for such a scheme should be based on outcomes of a Best Value Review for the function. With this in mind, it is suggested that officers take the opportunity to examine further the practicality of resourcing a review of vehicle maintenance during 2004/05 and to report back findings to the next meeting of the Committee. |
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3.6 |
The second phase of the Pay and Conditions Verification Study and preparation for Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) will add to the pressures on both Members and Officers. So, even if a robust local programme of Best Value Reviews could be determined for 2004/05, there would be little confidence in being able to adequately resource it.. |
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3.7 |
The Committee is asked to recommend to the Authority that no additional local Best Value Reviews be undertaken in 2004/05 (except, possibly, a review of vehicle maintenance), but that full co-operation be given to participating in any regional, joint, or cross-cutting reviews. |
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4 |
European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 |
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4.1 |
The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 and considered in the light of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. |
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Recommendations |
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That it be recommended to the Authority: |
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That the South East Forum be asked to consider the scope and possible benefits of progressing the six areas for collaboration (as set out in the Draft National Framework) as potential joint and/or cross-cutting Best Value Reviews. |
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That no additional Best Value Reviews be carried out during 2004/05 (except, possibly, a review of vehicle maintenance) in view of the need to concentrate attention and significant resources on: the further development of the Authority's Integrated Risk Management Plan and `Year 1' actions/reviews arising from it; the review of the Authority's Corporate Plan; preparation for Comprehensive Performance Assessment; and the need to participate in developing the six areas for regional collaboration (and possible regional Best Value Reviews that might yet emerge). |
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Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers |
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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. (1) Draft National Framework for the Fire and Rescue Service (published by ODPM) Note: The list excludes: (1) Published works (2) Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act |
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Groups/Secretarial/WP/Word/Corporate/HFRA Performance Review 4 2 2004 Programme BV DH/JMW/22/1/2004 |
