Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 11

15/03/200513 February 2008

Error! Bookmark not defined.Performance assessment of fire and rescue authorities by the Audit Commission, 2007

Report by the Chief Officer

Contact: David Howells Director of Corporate Services Tel No: 02380 626833

1

Summary

1.1

The Authority has achieved excellent results in the Audit Commission's latest national assessment of fire and rescue authorities' performance. For the second year running we attained the top category score of `4' for the way we deliver our services to the public and are considered to be `performing strongly'. In the use of resources assessment, we were judged to be `performing well' with a score of `3'. In our overall direction of travel, we were considered to be `improving well' with a score of `3'.

1.2

From comparative information provided in the Audit Commission's national summary report, it is pleasing that we are now well within the top ten of best performing fire and rescue authorities. The summary of the national report and the results of all fire and rescue authorities has been reproduced as Appendix 1 to this report.

1.3

The feedback from the assessments is very limited (the commentaries we have received are set out in full in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.4 below). The officers will seek more detailed feedback from our local external auditors so that we can fully explore strategies and actions necessary to further improve our performance in 2008.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.

2.1

That the excellent results obtained by the Authority in the Audit Commission's 2007 national performance assessment of fire and rescue authorities be noted.

3

Components of the assessment

3.1

This is the second follow-up performance assessment since fire and rescue authorities were first subjected to the former Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) in 2005. In 2006 an `operational assessment of service delivery' was undertaken for the first time; this included the verification of key outcome-based performance indicators. The latest 2007 assessment followed broadly the same structure, but the number of performance indicators taken into account was increased. As in 2006, an assessment was made of authorities' use of resources and their direction of travel (i.e. in terms of overall improvement).

3.2

Operational Assessment of Service Delivery

This element (arguably the most important from our stakeholders' perspective) looks at how effectively the Athority plans and responds to emergencies and incidents for local residents and businesses. It examines fire prevention and emergency responses to fires, accidents, rescues, major incidents, terrorism and environmental threats. It covers the following areas:

· risk analysis

· prevention and protection

· operational preparedness

· call management

· incident support emergency response

The Authority attained the top category scoring a `4' = `performing strongly'

The following summary has been provided by Communities and Local Government to support the assessment:

"Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is performing strongly in most areas of service delivery from its work in prevention and protection, operational preparedness, and call management and incident support. The Service is significantly involved with partner organisations in order to deliver community safety, and ensures that resources are targeted to those most in need. Its response to emergencies is flexible and appropriate. Constant monitoring enables the Service to attend incidents efficiently, and ensure that the most appropriate resources are sent. There are evident strengths in the provision of the technical infrastructure, systems and human resources required to sustain call management and incident support arrangements. Risk analysis is good with tangible outcomes from the relocation of resources. Resources are targeted at objectives linked to the integrated risk management plan, and there are clear policies for civil protection. Overall, the Service is performing strongly with a clear heath and safety culture and a resolute commitment to equality and diversity."

The operational assessment of service delivery includes the verification of key outcome-based performance information. Performance on specified performance indicators (PIs) is assessed as above, between or below two levels (thresholds) to provide three performance groupings:

· above the upper threshold = comparatively high performance

· between the thresholds

· below the lower threshold = comparatively low performance

The number of performance indicators in each grouping determines the score for the performance information element. The Authority's results are as follows:

Performance Indicator

Grouping

· Primary fires per 10,000 population

Above the upper threshold

· Deaths arising from accidental dwelling fires per 100,000 population

· Number of deliberate primary fires (including vehicles) per 10,000 population

· Percentage of fires attended where no smoke alarm was fitted

· Accidental dwelling fires per 10,000 dwellings

Between the thresholds

· Injuries arising from accidental dwelling fires per 100,000 population

· Percentage of accidental dwelling fires confined to room of origin

· False alarms caused by automatic fire detection

· Calls to malicious false alarms

· Fires in non-domestic properties per 1,000 non-domestic properties

In 2006 the Authority achieved a score of `3' for its level achievement on the key performance indicators, so it is especially pleasing that - because none of our indicators are below the lower threshold - we have been given a score of `4' for this element of service delivery too and are `performing strongly'.

3.3

Use of Resources

This assessment looks at how the Authority manages its finances, including an explicit judgement on the extent to which it provides value for money. It also examines financial accounting and reporting arrangements. In 2006 we were given a score of `3' and this has been repeated in the 2007 assessment. We are again judged to be `performing well'.

This use of resources judgement is drawn from five individual judgements provided by the Authority's appointed auditor:

Aspect

score

· Financial reporting

3

· Financial management

3

· Financial standing

3

· Internal control

2

· Value for money

3

Although it does not impact on the final overall score, we are concerned to see another comparatively low score for `internal control'. The Treasurer and Director of Corporate Services will discuss this with the external auditor to ascertain what led to this conclusion and to identify what particular shortcomings need to be addressed.

3.4

Direction of Travel

This assessment indicates the progress being made, or otherwise, to achieve improvement. In the 2006 assessment the Authority was considered to be `improving well' since the original 2005 Comprehensive Performance Assessment was undertaken (when we were categorised as a `good' authority. In the latest (2007) assessment, we have again been awarded a score of `3' and have maintained our `improving well' status.

The following summary has been provided by the auditors to support the 2007 direction of travel assessment:

"Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has a good record of improvement in its priority areas and in making an effective contribution to wider community outcomes. It has performed well against national targets especially in reducing fire deaths, primary and deliberate fires, and in reducing false alarms. However, performance needs to be improved for reducing deliberate secondary fires. The Authority's overall costs are well managed and compare well with other similar authorities. There is a robust process for reducing risk and managing performance and a good balance between prevention and protection. The Authority has built on previous successes in working with partners in the community and other fire authorities and has developed initiatives directly targeted at those groups most at risk and those causing criminal damage or displaying anti-social behaviour. It has listened to feedback and has improved the way it engages and consults with communities. The Authority has enhanced its capacity to deliver its objectives by introducing innovative ways of working and has put robust plans in place for further developing capacity and delivering its planned improvements."

4

How do we compare?

4.1

In 2007 all authorities were in the `improving adequately' category or above, but the extent of improvement in national performance indicators was said to vary considerably. Half of all authorities (46 in total) were considered to be `improving well' in their direction of travel - only four achieved to top category of `improving strongly'. In the Operational Assessment of Service Delivery, 11 authorities were judged to be `performing strongly'. Only four authorities achieved the top rating of `performing strongly' in the use of resources assessment, with the majority (37) considered to be `performing well'.

4.1

An examination of the totals of raw scores for each of the three components of the performance assessment reveals that the Hampshire is ranked well within the top ten of best performing fire and rescue authorities.

5

Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

5.1

The outcome of the latest performance assessment provides independent evidence to show that the Authority is already achieving its aim to: "be in the top 10 performing fire and rescue services in the country by 2010".

6

Equality Impact Assessment

6.1

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.

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:

· Audit Commission: Fire and Rescue Performance Assessment (Scores and analysis of performance in fire and rescue authorities 2007) website link: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/Products/NATIONAL-REPORT/65813F7C-C7DB-41f9-BAD6-3EA0EE82B6DE/fireandrescueperformanceassessment_scores2007_final%20proof.pdf

· Audit Commission: Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority - (fire and rescue performance assessment 2007) http://cpa.audit-commission.gov.uk/FireScorecard.aspx?TaxID=103663

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