Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Performance Review & Scrutiny Committee Item 7

5th March 2008

Progress report on actions taken to meet the recommendations detailed in the

Report of the Best Value Review of Service Level Agreements with Hampshire County Council

Report of Chief Officer

Contact: Philip Webb, Performance Review Manager

Telephone: 023 8062 6828

E-mail: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 Attached is a progress report on actions taken to meet the recommendations arising from the Best Value Review of Service Level Agreements with Hampshire County Council.

2 Recommendation

2.1 That the Committee approves the updated Action Plan and agrees to receive further reports on progress.

3 Introduction

3.1 The Authority was mindful that the long standing service level agreements with Hampshire County Council had not been renewed from a best value perspective. Accordingly it commissioned an independent review led by SOLACE Enterprises.

3.2 The review was completed and reported to this Committee on 16^th June 2006.

3.3 The recommendations arising from the review, and progress towards implementing them are detailed in appendix 1 to this report

4 Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

4.1 Best value reviews are a recognised means of improving the delivery of services to the public. We recognise that if we want to be in the top 10 fire and rescue services in the country, we need to be able to demonstrate our commitment to improving the quality and cost effectiveness of all that we do.

4.2 Further, in wanting to divert 2% of our current resources to prevention activities by 2008 (and also to meet the Government expectations for annual efficiency gains), we need to continue to identify opportunities for improving cost-effectiveness and this must include how we manage and deliver all our support and `back office' services. This review has concluded that there is scope to make such improvements.

5 Consultation

5.1 The consultant interviewed all the key people involved in both the day-to-day and strategic management of the various service level agreements. On those issues considered more sensitive (mainly concerning future staffing arrangements) discussions have subsequently taken place with the staff concerned on the practicality and consequences of implementing the recommendations. Consultation needs to continue to determine implementation timescales.

6 Equality Impact Assessment

6.1 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.

7 Risk Analysis

7.1 Failure to implement the recommendations made by the review leaves 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:

· Report by Mike Ellis, Consultant, SOLACE Enterprises `Service Level Agreements for the provision of support services by Hampshire County Council'

http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/review_of_service_level_agreements_report_may_06.pdf

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

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:

Appendix 1 Best Value Review of Service Level Agreements Action Plan