Archived decisions
COUNCIL MEETING, 2 APRIL, 2009
REPORT OF THE
HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY
HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE PLAN 2009-2012
1 The Fire Authority at its meeting in September 2008 agreed to consult stakeholders on nine proposed corporate objectives for inclusion in the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan 2009-2012. The twelve-week period of consultation commenced on 22 September 2008 and ended on 12 December 2008. It included a number of specific events. As a result of the valuable feedback received - and developments that have since taken place - the Chief Officer has recommended the deletion of two of the proposed objectives and approval to seven of the objectives.
2 Those corporate objectives recommended for inclusion in the above Plan are:
(i) develop intelligence-led delivery of services
(ii) develop risk-based response standards for specific incident types.
(iii) develop response vehicles to better meet risks.
(iv) develop efficient and flexible crewing.
(v) develop the core skills of firefighters.
(vi) review the delivery of services in the area covered by Bishops Waltham, Botley, Droxford and Wickham Fire Stations.
(vii) develop a community resilience strategy.
The two corporate objectives no longer being recommended are:
· review of service transportation - some consultees questioned whether non-emergency vehicles need to be an ongoing activity. It is now to be pursued as a best value review instead.
· strategy for resolving building maintenance needs. This has been overtaken by events as a result of the Fire Authority increasing its 2009/10 budgetary provision for the repair, maintenance and improvement of its built estate. If necessary, this corporate objective can be re-introduced at a later date if maintenance needs significantly increase.
3 The Fire Authority in February, 2009 noted the feedback from stakeholders on the original nine corporate objectives and approved the revised set of seven proposed corporate objectives as summarised above for inclusion in the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan 2009-2012. The Plan is due to be published and issued to all interested parties at the beginning of April, 2009.
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT FOR 2008
1 The Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority has achieved excellent results in the Audit Commission's latest national assessment of Fire and Rescue Authorities' performance. It continues to be well within the top ten best performing fire and rescue authorities in the country. The Authority has attained the top category "4" for its "Direction of Travel" assessment and considered to be "improving strongly".
2 The assessment for "Use of Resources" looked at the Authority's performance across a range of financial themes including the arrangement for securing value for money. The Audit Commission rated this area as a "3" - performing well. The "Service Assessment" component comprises two elements : the operational assessment of service delivery and an analysis of performance information for 2007/08. For this, the Authority achieved the top score of "4".
3 The Audit Commission's narrative which accompanied their assessment details the Authority's progress since last year. It refers to Hampshire's good and sustained progress in delivering better services that meet the needs of all its Communities. That it has worked with key partners, such as the Police, Ambulance Service and schools to provide the most timely emergency response, reduce road traffic accidents, anti-social behaviour and arson. Also, that staff work in a cost-effective and flexible way, undertaking community safety activities such as home fire visits and making significant improvement in reducing incidents of fire, death and injury. Hampshire is also making good progress in addressing weaker areas highlighted in last year's review and has robust plans for improving further.
M.F. CARTWRIGHT
Chairman
4IR570309