Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 14

9 February 2005

The Fire and Rescue Service National Framework 2005/06

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Chief Officer - John Bonney Telephone: 023 80 626830

1

Summary

1.1

This report highlights the key changes to the National Framework following publication of the new document for 2005/06.

2

Recommendation

That the Authority notes the key points arising from the National Framework 2005/6 and endorses the role of the Corporate Management Team in monitoring progress against required actions.

3

Introduction

The National Framework sets out the shared strategy for Government and Fire and Rescue Authorities to deliver their goals.

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_fire/documents/page/odpm_fire_033558.hcsp

The document is designed to articulate the expectations placed on the Government, Authorities and Regional Management Board to deliver a modernised fire and rescue service. The intention being that the National Framework will be published annually to coincide with the budget planning cycle of authorities. As a result, the National Framework for 2005/6 follows only months after that for 2004/5. Extensive consultation on the original document has meant that this was finally published in July 2004. The 2005/6 document is largely based on its predecessor and is, in effect, little more than an updated version. There are, however, a number of developments worthy of note and these are provided in the following sections.

4

Contribution to Corporate Aims, Objectives and Key Tasks

4.1

The National Framework remains a fundamental document for setting our local strategic direction, priorities and targets. As members will be aware, Hampshire's Corporate Aims have been devised in part from the ODPM Fire Public Service Agreement targets. Beyond that, key performance measures defined in Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) provide the Service with performance expectations for a whole variety of activities, both Service related and in relation to diversity.

4.2

Actions aimed at achieving these targets are included in the Corporate Plan of which a major component is our Integrated Risk Management Plan. We will continue to monitor performance, both within the Service through the Service Management Team and through the Authority's Performance Review Committee.

4.3

Clearly, it is important that changes in the direction and emphasis of the National Framework need to be considered and reflected in our own strategic plans.

5

The National Framework - Chapter by Chapter

5.1

The document has retained its previous structure of nine chapters:

Chapter 1

Fire Prevention and Risk Management

Chapter 2

Working Together: The Regional Approach

Chapter 3

Effective Response

Chapter 4

Resilience

Chapter 5

Fire and Rescue Staff

Chapter 6

Workforce Development

Chapter 7

Finance

Chapter 8

Performance Management

Chapter 9

Research

5.2

Chapter 1 - Fire Prevention and Risk Management

The main focus of this section is the requirement of Authorities to provide and develop their Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMPs). The plan must define how the Authority aims to reduce the risk identified in its community with the detail of its intentions to be produced in an annual action plan.

Once again, the Framework seeks to encourage a partnership approach to reducing those risks and makes suggestions of which agencies we might seek to target.

Noticeably, it exhorts Fire and Rescue Authorities to prepare for the Regulatory Reform Order by drawing up a prioritised inspection programme. Unfortunately, it does not provide a clear date when the order will be enacted.

5.3

Chapter 2 - Working Together: The Regional Approach

In many ways, this Chapter has been updated to provide an explanation of how the Regional Control Centre project is proceeding and the key responsibilities RMBs have for implementing the project locally. Slightly more detail is provided on the governance options for the Regional Controls (this is the subject of a separate consultation exercise). There is also now a change in emphasis towards voluntary regional collaboration rather than combination now that the regional assembly election results are known.

The Government though remains resolute that RMBs must accomplish improvements and demonstrate a proven capacity and expertise to make those achievements.

5.4

Chapter 3 - Effective Response

Little has changed in this chapter, other than to specify in more detail the actions Fire and Rescue Authorities should be taking to reduce unwanted signals from fire detection systems and hoax calls.

The document also encourages the consideration of co-responder schemes in partnership with other agencies.

5.5

Chapter 4 - Resilience

The progress of the National Civil Resilience project and the enactment of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 allows this chapter to catalogue in more detail the various new dimension projects for:

-

Mass Decontamination

-

Urban Search and Rescue

-

High Volume Pumping, Water Safety and Rescue

-

Command and Control

-

Operational Logistics

-

Long Term Capability Management

An explanation is provided of the regional resilience forum's role to develop and co-ordinate the regional response to a major incident and provide clear communication to the national co-ordination centre. They should also assist RMBs in discharging their responsibilities in relation to resilience.

5.6

Chapter 5 - Fire and Rescue Staff

This chapter reaffirms the requirement of Fire and Rescue Authorities to develop systems to attract and retain staff from across the community and to ensure that flexibility is built into working practices to best meet the requirements of the Service.

Noticeably, more detailed requirements are placed on RMBs to draw up regional HR strategies specifying what they should encompass and how services might be best delivered. The strategy should also include the construction of equality targets, ensuring that the RMB complies with equality legislation and promotes good practice in this area.

5.7

Chapter 6 - Workforce Development

There is little new in this section other than to re-state the Fire Service College's role to act as the central accreditation and quality assurance body for the Service as a whole. However, mention is made of the review of the College's trading status. This could have both implications for the future role of the college and its funding mechanism. From the tone of the script, it is clear that clarifying the future role and training provision of the college is a top priority.

The further development work to identify, select and develop strategic leaders and the targeted development of staff to middle manager level is explained. These projects are due for completion in the Summer and Winter of 2005 respectively.

5.8

Chapter 7 - Finance

The main theme of this chapter is, as before, the necessity to keep council tax rises to under 5% and to reinforce this, an explanation is provided of the additional funding from central government for the Home Safety Check Scheme (£25 million), Arson Reduction (£11.3 million) and Community Safety Work (£45 million). It also confirms the deferment for repayment of the transitional funding. Although not specified it is anticipated this will now occur in 2006/2007.

Significantly special mention is made of the continued commitment of the ODPM to the National Integrated Clothing project, which recently failed to gain PFI credits. It is clear that the ODPM is still exploring options for alternative funding with the treasury.

5.9

Chapter 8 - Performance Management

More detail is now available on the fire CPA process, which begins early 2005. It is reiterated that the expectations within the National Framework will be a major component of the process. Moreover, the CPA assessment will consider to what extent RMBs can deliver functions for individual Fire and Rescue Authorities. Whilst more detail is provided on the "round table improvement planning process" (which brings together the Authority, the Fire and Rescue Service Improvement team, HMFSI and the Audit Commission to discuss improvement priorities and capacity building) the document remains light on potential freedom and flexibility for high performers.

Annex F details 5 new BVPIs

BVPI 206

i)

Number of deliberate primary fires (excluding deliberate primary fires in vehicles) per 10,000 population.

ii)

Number of deliberate primary fires in vehicles per 10,000 population;

iii)

Number of deliberate secondary fires (excluding deliberate secondary fires in vehicles) per 10,000 population.

iv)

Number of deliberate secondary fires in vehicles per 10,000 population.

BVPI 207

The number of fires in non-domestic premises per 1,000 non-domestic premises.

BVPI 208

The % of people in accidental dwelling fires who escape unharmed without FRA assistance at the fire.

BVPI 209

The % of fires attended in dwellings where:

i)

a smoke alarm had activated;

ii)

a smoke alarm was fitted but did not activate;

iii)

no smoke alarm was fitted.

BVPI 210

The % of women fire-fighters.

These seek to define more closely the performance in relation to arson, smoke detector ownership, rescues at fires and recruitment of women in operational roles.

5.10

Chapter 9 - Research

Previously, the Framework talked of the need for increased collaborative and co-ordinated research. This has now gone further by announcing the establishment of a National Fire and Rescue Research Strategy. The aim being to focus research activities across the industry and disseminate the results. A key component will be the establishment of an online Fire Research Academy to advise on research projects and improve communication with sponsors.

6

Resource Implications

The National Framework itself defines most of the activities undertaken by Fire and Rescue Services either directly or indirectly, and as such, it has importance for the workloads of Service senior managers and support staff. No additional resources are required, other than those already reflected in the budget proposed for 2005/6. It will inevitably lead to some amendments to business priorities and work plans.

7

Equality Impact Assessment

It is anticipated that a number of local projects and policies falling out of the National Framework recommendations will be required to be Equality Impact Assessed as required by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2002.

8

Risk Analysis

8.1

The National Framework represents a critical driver for the Authority in setting its strategic direction, priorities and policies. As previously mentioned, it informs the CPA process, as such failure to respond to the expectations and recommendations are likely to lead to a poor CPA rating, public criticism and potentially central government intervention.

Poor performance in the key target areas are also likely to adversely impact on the Authorities' ability to attract specific funding and will limit any opportunity for freedom and flexibility available to high scorers under the CPA regime.

8.2

As before, the Service will be detailing the key issues in the Framework document to ensure that current priorities and business plans align with these expectations. Where this is not the case, appropriate action plans will be drawn up and regularly monitored, both by SMT and CMT. Given the various action plans drawn up from the previous National Framework, Pay Verification reports, CPA peer assessment and ultimate CPA review, it is envisaged that a unified plan will be drawn up for ease of monitoring and review.

9

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

9.1

The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

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.

The Fire and Rescue National Framework 2005/06

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_fire/documents/page/odpm_fire_033558-01.hcsp#P28_892

Note: The list excludes:

(1) Published works

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