Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item...

15/03/200512 December 2007

Error! Bookmark not defined.New National Framework 2008/11 - Consultation Exercise

Report by the Chief Officer

Contact: Chief Officer John Bonney (tel: 02380 626830) [email protected]

1

Summary

Communities and Local Government (CLG) has recently published its draft new National Framework for 2008/11. Given this represents an articulation of government's expectations for the fire service, it is appropriate that the Authority has time to consider the document.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.(s)

2.1

That the Authority determines whether it wishes to formally respond to the document and if so, to instruct Officers on key issues it would wish to include in the response.

3

Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.and Background

3.1

The National Framework document represents an expression of government's expectation for the fire and rescue service, it also is the vehicle by which major policy changes for the Service are often heralded. The Framework also seeks to describe how government will support the fire and rescue services in delivering central government expectations.

4

General Points

4.1

There are two notable themes in the presentation of the National Framework 2008/11. Firstly, the time period, the document has been extended from two years to three years. The proposal being to align with the growing trend of fire and rescue authorities to produce three year IRMPs, which themselves align with three year budget plans.

4.2

The second change relates to the lack of detail or formal requirements in the new document. This is partially the result of government seeking to `future proof' the document by avoiding issues which are current but effectively time-lifed. There is also an attempt not to duplicate the requirements of other CLG documents, but rather, to reference these in the text. This approach is to be welcomed and provides more clarity to the plethora of documents currently in existence.

4.3

There is also a sense in the document that the key issues of modernisation are embedded in fire and rescue services, and as such, the National Framework seeks only to reinforce direction of travel rather than introducing new expectations or change initiatives.

4.4

The document format has been adjusted from the previous 9 chapters to only 4, these being:

Chapter 1 - Prevention, Protection and Response

Chapter 2 - Resilience

Chapter 3 - Diversity and Workplace

Chapter 4 - Governance and Improvement

4.5

Members may wish to consider some key points extracted from the document.

5

Chapter 1: Prevention, Protection and Response

5.1

The focus here is the continued government expectation that fire and rescue services should balance their service delivery across these three activities. The chapter also focuses on the widening role (as opposed to duty) of the service in areas such as flooding and co-responding.

5.2

Mention is also made of a new role for Regional Management Boards (RMBs) in regional resilience by ensuring the integration of cross border working. This could potentially cut across current local and regional resilience fora and is a shift in function for the RMB.

6

Chapter 2: Resilience

6.1

It is with some note that resilience continues to be the subject of a single chapter in a much reduced document and that within that, FireControl and Firelink occupies a considerable portion of the specified requirements. These seek to ensure continued progress of the projects by the development of the RCC companies and the ability of fire and rescue services to be able to `cut over' to the new RCC at the allocated time.

In relation to `New Dimensions' activities, the Framework concentrates on the embedding of the assets and sustaining the capability longer term.

7

Chapter 3: Diversity and Workforce

7.1

Equality and Diversity remains a significant priority of this chapter and notably, consultation of the National Framework coincides with the launch of a parallel consultation on the new National Equality and Diversity Strategy. It is clear from both documents that government has responded to concerns of fire and rescue authorities in terms of the current indicators on employment level being unrealistic. These are to be replaced by indicators relating to application, retention and progress rates, which would seem more appropriate to a sector which sees low turnover and virtually nil head count growth. In turn, government expectations in relation to progress has grown, as has an expectation that fire authorities and their Chief Officers will be much more accountable, with a requirement for the submission of annual reports and action plans to authorities and to the CLG. There is no doubt that CLG will expect demonstrable improvement in performance and the elevating of diversity as a corporate priority.

8

Chapter 4: Governance and Improvement

8.1

The final chapter focuses on a range of key issues, firstly including Regional Management Boards and once again, reference is made to a new regional resilience role for these bodies. This amounts to an unheralded policy shift from government and one this Authority may wish to consider when it formulates its response.

8.2

The new performance regime of Comprehensive Area Assessment is also described, as well as the requirement for fire and rescue authorities to become engaged with other partners in LAAs and LSPs. Disappointingly, whilst there are exhortations for fire and rescue services to promote the contribution they can make to the community cohesion and well-being agenda, there is no explanation as to how CLG will promote the contribution the Service can make at a national level. This Members may feel is something they wish to comment upon.

8.3

Reference is made to two new bodies within the fire community, the first is already in existence, the Central Fire and Rescue Advisor Unit (CFRAU) and the second, the proposed Centre for Excellence. The former body replaces, albeit on a much reduced scale and function, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, the intention being that this should provide independent professional advice to the Minister. The Centre for Excellence on the other hand would be to draw together a number of disparate functions now no longer provided by either CFRAU or CLG, including the Centre for Organisational Development, fire web portal and a level of good practice co-ordination. This remains a contentious issue, not least because of the current CLG view that fire and rescue authorities should make a contribution to this body. Once again, this is subject to a separate consultation.

9

Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

9.1

As this remains a consultation document at present, no proper assessment can be made. However, once the final document is published, a review of it against our corporate goals will be made.

10

Risk Analysis

10.1

None of the proposed changes to the National Framework represent a significant risk, although the new requirements that fall out of the Equality and Diversity Strategy will require careful consideration to ensure we remain compliant in relation to reporting.

11

Resource Implications

11.1

Human Resources

None at this time.

11.2

Physical Resources

None at this time.

11.3

Information and Communications Technology Resources

None at this time.

11.4

Financial Implications (3 Year Financial Plan)

None at this time.

12

Equality Impact Assessment

12.1

No EIA is required at this stage, but a preliminary assessment will be required when the final document is published.

12.2

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.

13

Consultation

13.1

Senior managers, the Service Management Team and Corporate Management Team will be asked for their comments in the formulation of the formed response.

14

Conclusion

14.1

Members are invited to consider the Framework document which was previously shared with them (letter dated 26 November 2007) and the points raised in this report. The intention would then be to submit a response by the closing date of 6 February 2008 and report to the February Authority meeting.

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:

Fire and Rescue Service National Framework 2008-11 Consultation (published by the CLG, November 2007)

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/nf200811consultation

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