Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Performance Review Committee Item 6

7^th September 2005

Progress Report on the Best Value Review of Vehicle Workshops

Report of Chief Officer

Contact: Philip Webb, Performance Review Manager

Telephone: 023 8062 6828

E-mail: [email protected]

Summary

The Best Value review of Vehicle Workshops was completed and reported to the Performance Review Committee on the 9^th March 2005. At this meeting the Committee considered that, at the present time, there was insufficient information to make an informed decision about whether the workshops facility should be retained in house or externalised (in whole or part).

The Committee decided a decision would be deferred until March 2006 in order to allow all relevant information to be obtained and objective comparisons made with other providers. To meet these requirements an Action Plan has been developed against which progress can be measured.

A Best Value Review Team has been established comprising Members and senior officers, to ensure that recommendations made at the Performance Review Committee meeting of 9^th March are complied with, and that the Review Team report regularly on the progress to the Corporate Management Team.

Recommendation

(i) That the Committee approve the updated Action Plan progress update and agree to receive further reports on progress.

Introduction

The Review was initially instigated to inform a management choice as to whether the workshops facility should be relocated to a purpose built facility on the Headquarters site.

Contribution to corporate aims and objectives

Facilities to manage the repair and maintenance of the vehicle fleet and associated equipment are essential in assisting the HFRA to meet its corporate aims, particularly so where the Service has to respond to an emergency.

Consultation

The initial review involved considerable consultation with other Fire and Rescue Services and outside contractors. To ensure each action point of the attached plan is addressed effectively and efficiently, further consultation is envisaged to both seek the views and aspirations of our own workforce (workshops and generally) and also to identify examples of best practice suitable for inclusion in our own procedures and practices.

Equality Impact Assessment

Carrying out equality impact assessments will strengthen our Best Value Review practices by ensuring that the consequences of our proposed policies and actions comply with current legislation and expectations for improving equality and diversity in the workplace and in our delivery of services to the public.

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.

Risk Analysis

Failure to implement the recommendations made by the review leave the Authority vulnerable to the consequences of the identified risks and shortcomings. These progress reports are considered to be an important process within the Authority's strategic risk management strategy because they ensure that Members are fully aware of any problems (including any resource implications) associated with addressing the issues raised and the priority given to driving down or eliminating specific risks.

Background information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

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

Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act.