1

Summary

1.1

Our various stakeholders are currently being consulted on the proposed corporate objectives approved by the Authority at its last meeting. The feedback to date has been generally very positive and there are no major concerns to bring to the attention of Members. An oral update will be provided at the meeting of any issues raised since the preparation of this report. The formal period of consultation will end on 12 December 2008 and a full report of the outcomes will presented to the Authority at its meeting on 11 February 2009.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.

2.1

That the feedback from consultation with stakeholders on the proposed corporate objectives for the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan 2009 - 2012 be noted.

3

Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.and Background

3.1

Local authorities have a statutory duty to consult stakeholders on its future plans. Section 3 of the Local Government Act 1999 requires authorities to consult council tax payers, business rate payers, service users and others with an interest, to help decide how to fulfil the duty of securing continuous improvement. This requirement is reiterated in the 2008/11 Fire and Rescue Service National Framework, which requires authorities to, "demonstrate that they have made changes to service provision, where appropriate, to reflect the needs and views of local communities and to demonstrate that they have considered the needs and views of all communities in making these changes."

3.2

At the time this report was prepared, we have held 14 of the 15 consultation events listed below. In addition, we have received 27 written responses.

Event

Venue

Date

Attendees

Representative Bodies

HFRS Headquarters

18/09/08

13

Public focus group - Basingstoke

Basingstoke Fire Station

07/10/08

12

Public focus group - Swanmore

Swanmore College

09/10/08

13

HFRS Staff - Bishop's Waltham

Bishop's Waltham Fire Station

13/10/08

20

HFRS Managers

HFRS Headquarters

15/10/08

26

HFRS Staff - HQ

HFRS Headquarters

17/10/08

29

HFRS Staff - Botley

Botley Fire Station

28/10/08

31

HFRS Staff - Cosham

Cosham Fire Station

29/10/08

20

Representative bodies

HFRS Headquarters

04/11/08

14

HFRS Staff - St. Mary's

St. Mary's Fire Station

17/11/08

19

Parish Councillors

HFRS Headquarters

18/11/08

0

HFRS Staff - Alton

Alton Fire Station

19/11/08

21

Public focus group - Southsea

Southsea Fire Station

24/11/08

9

Eastleigh Borough Councillors

HFRS Headquarters

01/12/08

4

Representative bodies

HFRS Headquarters

10/12/08

3.3

Apart from these formal consultation events we have also invited feedback from our various stakeholders via an on-line feedback accessed from on our website. Posters and copies of the draft objectives have been sent for display in all libraries and public information points (as well as to all our fire stations). Letters inviting comments have been sent to neighbouring fire and rescue authorities, partner organisations, constituent local authorities, Hampshire's Members of Parliament and our main partner organisations.

4

Consultation process and feedback

4.1

Each public focus group is concentrating on the same three draft objectives that were identified prior to the consultation process as those most likely to raise concerns or interest amongst stakeholders. These are:

Objective 1 - Develop speed of response standards for specific risks

Objective 2 - Review the delivery of our services in the area covered by Bishop's Waltham, Botley, Droxford and Wickham fire stations

Objective 3 - Develop a community resilience strategy

Wherever possible, consultees have been asked specific and appropriate questions, appropriate to each objective to ensure concise and relevant information is received.

4.2

Staff meetings are being held across the county. Attendance has been better than in previous years. Staff from four different stations attended the meeting at Bishop's Waltham Fire Station.

4.4

Feedback from staff has, on the whole, been very positive. Inevitably, most discussion has centred on objective 4 `Efficient and flexible crewing'. Concern can best be summarised by the following comment that has been received: "Crews uniquely work together as a team in the event of an emergency, which may be hindered when people don't know each other or the area they are working in." The representative bodies have indicated that they felt this objective was positive - but did voice concerns about how the system would be managed and how effectiveness would be measured.

4.4

Our staff have commented that there is not always enough information made available prior the consultation meetings. We have taken action to improve this by reminding consultees prior to the events of the information available on our website and in other documentation.

4.5

The priority and target concerning `reducing our impact on the environment' has generated considerable interest and comment - particularly from our staff. From feedback we have received we have sought to clarify our intentions by providing two targets:

· By 2012 we will reduce the carbon footprint arising from operational fires and other incidents in Hampshire by 10%

· By 2012 we will reduce our energy consumption as an organisation by 20%

4.6

Other key points that have emerged from consultation include:

· Staff have said that they would appreciate being provided with more detailed information on the proposed objectives during the consultation period.

· Some consultees mentioned that the fire and rescue service doesn't always receive the recognition it deserves in terms of the wider contribution it makes to community safety and resilience.

· Grey Book staff and their representatives are particularly supportive of the proposed objective: 'Improving the core skills of our fire-fighters'.

4.7

On completion of all the consultation events, all the feedback will be collated, summarised and presented to the Authority at its meeting on 11 February 2009.

4.8

A `learning log' is being continually updated. This identifies practical improvements for the management of the consultation process and preparation of the Plan in future years.

5

Risk Analysis

5.1

Failure to consult on our corporate plan (including the statutory requirement to produce and consult on an Integrated Risk Management Plan) would pose a significant reputational and legal risk to the Authority. Inadequate consultation would mean that our corporate objectives - and our subsequent implementation strategies - are not being developed and refined to reflect the needs and concerns of local communities and other stakeholders.

6

Resource Implications

6.1

The costs associated with the programme of consultation activities are being met from existing budgets.

7

People Impact Assessment

7.1

A People Impact Assessment (PIA) has been completed for the Plan. There are no significant issues arising from it to draw to the attention of Members.

7.2

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.

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:

Draft Fire and Rescue Service Plan 2009 - 2012': proposed corporate objectives and consultation strategy (see item 9)

/decisions/decisions-index/index-docs-6914

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