Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Performance Review Committee Item 8

12th September 2006

Report on the proposal to undertake a Best Value Review on Environmental Impact

and Energy Conservation

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Philip Webb, Performance Review Manager

Telephone: 023 8062 6828

E-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is a large, county wide employer with over 50 separate sites. As a socially aware and responsible organisation, we recognise that all of our activities, on and off site, have the potential to impact on the environment in which we live. To meet our corporate vision of `Making Hampshire Safer' we have to review these activities and identify any opportunities for reducing those with the potential for adverse effects.

1.2 It should be noted that this review will not include operational activities. The Service already has comprehensive arrangements in place for these, which have been endorsed by the Environment Agency.

2. Recommendation

2.1 That the Committee approves the undertaking of a Best Value Review of Environmental Impact and Energy Conservation.

2.2 That the Committee agrees the draft scope and methodology for the review.

2.3 That nominations be sought for the appointment of two Members to the Steering Group.

3. Introduction

3.1 Members will recognise the importance of mitigating damage to our environment. This is particularly relevant to the Fire and Rescue Service, attending as it does emergency calls to incidents, where the normal everyday control measures have failed. It usually falls to the attending crews to implement procedures to reduce the environmental impact of these incidents.

3.2 It is not just our operational response that has an impact on the environment. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service as a county wide organisation with over 50 sites has its own environmental `footprint'. This is generated from almost every activity that we undertake, including management, training and Headquarters functions.

3.3 It is evident, following an initial scooping study and recognition of resourcing requirements, that this review requires to be conducted in two phases; phase one to address environmental impact and phase two to consider energy conservation, although there will ultimately be some crossover between the two.

4. Purpose

4.1 The purpose of phase one of the review is to audit our current procedures and practices to ascertain their impact on the environment, identify improvements, control measures and best practice. It is proposed in phase two to identify options for reducing our usage of energy. This will not restrict itself to traditional forms of energy such as diesel, gas, and electricity, but will also consider how we can reduce/recycle other consumable resources and materials.

5. Approach and methodology

5.1 It is proposed to undertake the review using a core working group including:

· Representatives of the Performance Review Team.

· Property Services Manager.

· Functional representatives (as required)

5.2 It is envisaged that the team will also enlist the assistance of selected staff from the Service, who have specialist skills or knowledge in the areas under review.

5.3 The core working group will be accountable to a Steering/Consulting Group including:

· Two HFRA Member representatives.

· Director of Corporate Services.

· External challengers from the Environment Agency.

· The Performance Review Manager.

5.4 An initial approach has been made to the Environment Agency, whose representatives have confirmed that in principle they can provide advice to the team.

5.5 The Steering Group's role will be to:-

· Provide guidance and support to the review team.

· Provide a robust external and internal `challenge' to the review process.

· Ensure that the review process keeps to its timetable and is completed by the end of the financial year 2008/09.

5.6 Broadly, the methodology of the review will be to:-

· Undertake a `baseline assessment' of current activities.

· Assess the current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats using the outcome of the `baseline assessment'.

· Undertake a risk assessment and determine the areas/activities for review.

· Challenge how and why identified actions are being undertaken and determine what conclusions can be drawn.

· Consult with employees and other stakeholders.

· Compare our activities with other fire and rescue services and organisations

· Consider the scope for improvements to be made, or for future collaboration with other partners.

· Make recommendations for improvement, and develop, for approval by the Performance Review Committee, an improvement plan with specific targets, against which actions of implementation can be monitored.

· It is anticipated that improvements identified can be shared with other Fire Authorities.

6. Proposed scope of phase one of the review - Environmental Impact

6.1 The initial scope of the review is to include:

· Headquarters activities, including procurement of supplies and services

· Fire Stations, workshops and other Service buildings

· Training activities

· Transport

· Cleaning and catering

6.2 Within these categories, it is proposed that the team examines themes such as:

· Air pollution

· Noise pollution

· Light pollution

· Storage, handling and disposal of chemicals and other hazardous substances

· Waste from all service activities, including minimisation and recycling

· Drainage

6.3 It should be noted that operational activities are primarily covered by the Environment Agency's manual on Environment Protection. From discussions with the Environment Agency, it is understood that the Service's operational activities are assessed as a matter of course and do not present significant issues. For this reason, it is proposed that operational activities will fall outside of the scope of this review.

6.4 It is anticipated that the scope of phase two, Energy Conservation, will be informed by the outcome of phase one, and therefore it is planned to scope phase one at a later stage.

7. Contribution to corporate aims and objectives

7.1 Undertaking a review of environmental impacts of the Service will contribute to the Service being one of the top Fire and Rescue Services in the country. It will also enhance the Service's Corporate Social Responsibility.

8. Resource Implications

8.1 The major resource requirement for this review will be staff time. It is envisaged that the group will second additional staff members as required during the review process.

8.2 There may be a budgetary requirement for the cost of consultancy advice from the Environment Agency. We have ascertained that initial advice and help should fall into `routine business' for the Agency, but more in-depth help may be charged for. In this case, it is envisaged that the cost would be contained within the Performance Review budget.

9. Consultation

9.1 The review will involve considerable consultation with other Fire and Rescue Services and external organisations, and identify examples of best practice suitable for inclusion in our own procedures and practices. The views and aspirations of our own staff will also be sought.

10. Equality Impact Assessment

10.1 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.

10.2 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.

11. Risk Analysis

11.1 During the review, a risk analysis will be undertaken of issues encountered, in order to inform the review team on the areas to concentrate on in order to utilise resources effectively. It will help to mitigate the risk of the failure to adequately protect the environment in our activities.

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.