Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item

17 15/03/2005September 2008

Fire and Rescue National Framework 2008-2011

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Kevin Butcher - Head of Response (Service Delivery) Tel: 02380 626844

1

Summary

1.1

Communities and Local Government (CLG) has recently issued the new National Framework for 2008-2011. This represents the CLG's expectations and proposals for the fire and rescue service over the next three years.

1.2

The Framework states that the Government does not have plans to introduce Regional Fire Services. This statement helps reduce any speculation about the future structure of local fire and rescue services following the transition to Regional Control Centres.

1.3

The officers have produced a gap analysis (Appendix A) to ensure that all of the key items in the National Framework 2008-2011 are taken into account in our corporate planning process.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.

2.1

That the Authority notes the key issues identified in the Fire and Rescue National Framework 2008-2011; and the officers comments on them set out in the gap analysis set out as Appendix A to this report.

3

Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.and Background

3.1

The Government's objectives for the National Framework are set out under the following headings:

· The Government's expectations for the Fire and Rescue Service

· What Fire Authorities are expected to do

· The support the Government will provide in helping fire and rescue services to meet these objectives

3.2

The Framework details three key priorities:

· Delivery of an enhanced resilience capability

· Fire and Rescue Authorities to take ownership and successfully implement the National Equality and Diversity Strategy 2008-2018

· To meet the public expectations of a modern, efficient and effective Public Service within the confines of a tighter fiscal climate

3.3

From the Framework, the following key areas have been identified as requiring action by the Authority to ensure compliance with the CLG's expectations:

· Ensuring that the risks posed by civil or terrorist activities are captured in the IRMP

· Reviewing the effectiveness of cross-border integration

· Arrangements for providing risk information to crews at incidents

· Arrangements to ensure agreements with the Local Authority Controlled Company (LACC) and CLG are agreed 6 months before cut over to the Regional Control Centre (RCC)

3.4

A Gap Analysis (Appendix A ) has been produced to inform corporate planning process. This identifies progress against the key requirements of the Framework Document. Where appropriate references are made to the corporate risk and improvement planning registers.

3.5

For the first time the new Framework covers a period of three years. This links with the Government's plans for the comprehensive spending review period.

The Authority will now be able to align its own budget and corporate planning processes with the Government's planning cycle. It is, however, the CLG's intention to review the document after year two to consider whether any changes need to be made.

4

Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

4.1

The "Gap Analysis" (Appendix A) ensures that the Authority's own priorities and aims take fully into account Government expectations.

5

Risk Analysis

5.1

The Strategic Risk Register has, for some time, included a risk relating to diversifying our workforce to reflect the communities we serve. The National Framework states that fire and rescue authorities must implement the requirements of the National Fire and Rescue Service Equality Strategy. It is essential that we continue to pursue strategies and actions that will achieve a diverse workforce that will deliver a higher quality of service to the public and other stakeholders.

5.2

None of the Government's expectations for implementing RCC's outlined in the Framework present the Authority with any significant risks outside of those currently identified within our Strategic Risk Register. New risks may emerge if there are any subsequent delays in the RCC or Firelink Project and these will be added to the Register if and when they occur.

5.3

Fire and Rescue Services must have regard to the Framework in exercising their functions. Failure to do so may result in the Secretary of State exercising the power to intervene. By carrying out the Gap Analysis, the Authority is able to demonstrate that it has taken the Framework fully into account in setting its own priorities.

6

Resource Implications

The findings of the gap analysis have been fed into the corporate planning process and will inform the development of our corporate objectives within the integrated risk management planning process. As part of this planning process specific resource implications will be determined and highlighted to the Authority as appropriate. There are no significant resource implications associated with carrying out the gap analysis.

7

People Impact Assessment (PIA)

7.1

Officers are currently reviewing all the existing Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) to identify any potential adverse impacts on minority groups. The revised EIAs will reflect the potential impacts on people and will be known as PIAs. The actions needing to be taken in respect of complying with the National Framework will be subject to the PIA process.

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 National Framework Document 2008 - 2011

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/nationalframework200811

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