Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE held at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Eastleigh on 27 February 2009.
PRESENT:
Councillors: D.A. Kirk (Chairman); R.J. Baulk; I.F.E. Beagley; K.G. Chapman; L.T. Dunsdon, F. Jonas; Sam Payne and D. Simpson.
Also in attendance: Councillor M.F. Cartwright.
150 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence received.
151 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate, declare their interest and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Fire Authority's Code of Conduct consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Code.
There were no declarations of interest made by Members under this item.
152 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
153 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations made under this item.
154 PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT 2008: DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, USE OF RESOURCES AND ORGANISATIONAL ASSESSMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the findings of the Audit Commission's assessment of the Direction of Travel, Use of Resources and Organisational Assessment. The Audit Commission were introduced and presented the report.
Members were pleased that the Direction of Travel was
very positive as outcomes for local people had improved strongly. Members accepted that equality and diversity needed to be addressed, but were informed that the Audit Commission recognised that the Authority had the capacity and leadership to go forward and had addressed many of their earlier criticisms. Officers were confident that the areas for improvement would be addressed in 2008/09 as the performance assessment referred to 2007/08.
Members were pleased that the Authority had improved its use of resources and that Officers were working on an action plan to improve further. There was some disappointment a level 4 had not been achieved, particularly in providing value for money, as the Authority had done a great deal to keep costs down but still ensure effective service delivery. The Audit Commission informed Members that `3' was a very good score, and that something innovative and out of the ordinary would be required to enable the Authority to score a `4'.
Members were pleased that the Audit Commission's opportunities for improvement had been added to the HFRS improvement register.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
155 CO-RESPONDERS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the aims, objectives and performance of the Co-responder scheme operated in partnership with South Central Ambulance Service. The scheme was created to provide cover in areas where the ambulance service struggled to meet its response standards. Co-responders operate from retained stations in rural locations that are often some considerable distance from medical centres. Members were reassured that the scheme did not affect the staffing of the Services own emergency vehicles, but existed to ensure rapid cardiac intervention and make a positive difference to a person in a life threatening situation.
Members were pleased with the impact of the scheme but were concerned that the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) felt unable to support the scheme. It was noted that HFRS had addressed many of the concerns that the FBU had with the scheme. It was highlighted that all of the HFRS Co-responders were volunteers. Members therefore, supported the initiative and were pleased that from April 2009, it would be cost neutral for the Authority.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee recognise the considerable improvements in the health and well being of the community by the introduction of this joint working initiative.
156 PROGRESS REPORT ON THE BEST VALUE REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the two year best value review of HFRS environmental impact. Highlighted for Members were the positive results of the October 2008 energy audit at HFRS Headquarters, the commitment of HFRS staff to reduce their environmental impact through the Bright Sparks suggestion scheme and the potential for HFRS to participate in the Salix scheme, whereby any investment in an environmental project is matched by the Carbon Trust and any savings are placed in a revolving fund for further improvements. A full report of the Best Value Review would be available at September's meeting.
Members were pleased with the progress made and agreed that Councillor Sam Payne be appointed as the Authority's Environmental Champion.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the progress to date of the Best Value Review of Environmental Impact be approved and that the Committee agree to receive future updates.
(b) That Councillor Sam Payne be appointed as the Authority's Environmental Champion.
157 DRAFT HFRS COMMUNITY STRATEGY AND COMMUNITY RESPONSE STRATEGY 2009-2012
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the HFRS Community Safety and Community Response Strategies. Members were informed that both strategies would be addressed using existing resources, that they contain virtually all service delivery aspects of the service and taken together provide clarity and focus for scrutiny and measurement of performance. Members were informed that the `focus' boxes found in both strategies would help staff engage with service delivery and improve performance. Members were reassured that the strategies linked to the corporate plan.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the progress made to date in the development of the HFRS Community Safety and Community Response Strategies for 2009-2012 be noted.
(b) That the Committee approve and actively support the actions of the Draft Community Safety and Community Response Strategies (2009-2012) by developing the action plans and involving themselves in their implementation.
158 LEARNING FROM OUR PRESENCE AT POPLEY FIELDS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the presence of HFRS in Popley Fields, Basingstoke - an initiative to reduce risk and raise the profile of HFRS . There had been some mixed outcomes, but the moving of the appliance had improved response times, and had reduced primary vehicle fires. The Community Committee at Popley Fields believed that the mobility of the appliance had worked as a preventative measure.
Members were concerned about the public response to the removal of the appliance from Popley Fields in the future, but were informed that the good work that had been achieved would most likely be continued through the use of a future mobile community contact point. It was explained that the Community Committee understands the need for mobility, and that Popley Fields would still receive a similar service, but with a lighter touch.
It was noted that the experience at Popley Fields was part of a wider review of Basingstoke.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee note the conclusions of the report and support the ongoing review of Basingstoke.
159 SERVICE DELIVERY MONITORING
The Committee received the report of the Chief Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on Service Delivery Monitoring. Members were updated on the new national Incident Recording System (IRS) that would go live on 1 April 2009, and would enable far greater capture of the nature of incidents.
Members were informed that Service Delivery Monitoring would provide more information about the people affected by or involved with incidents.
160 THE CHANGE IN DUTY SYSTEM AT WINCHESTER FIRE STATION FROM DAY-CREWING TO CONITNUOUSLY-CREWING
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the change in duty system at Winchester Fire Station as part of the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2006. Members were pleased to note that there had already been some significant improvements in service delivery since October 2006, both in response times and the reduction of risk.
Members were reassured that staff felt facilities were adequate and the station fit for purpose. It was noted that establishment had not increased, due to the re-deployment of staff from Redbridge. Officers acknowledged that lessons had been learnt from the transfer of staff from Redbridge to Winchester, and these lessons would be used to influence any similar moves in the future.
Members requested that a separate report on the change in crewing arrangements at Redbridge Fire Station be tabled at a future meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the improvements in service delivery resulting from the change in crewing arrangements at Winchester Fire Station since October 2007 be noted.
161 PREVENTABLE INCIDENTS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the strategy and process for addressing and reducing preventable incidents.
Members were supportive of the strategy to reduce acetylene incidents, and felt they could do more to help identify where these were located, to ensure the database was kept up to date, particularly as these incidents have such a huge impact on the surrounding area when there is an acetylene incident.
Members were pleased that the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) policy was effective, and that the Chief Fire Officers Association had adopted an AFA policy largely based on the HFRS policy. Members were happy to continue with the current HFRS AFA reduction strategy, and endorsed it at least until the Regional Control Centre cut over, as it continued to be effective. In 2007/08, 32.5% of calls were filtered which enabled HFRS to focus resources on other activities such as community safety. Members were informed that HFRS was unable to have a charging scheme for AFA's as legislation states that they are a notification of fire and therefore cannot be charged for.
Officers outlined the proposed lift incident process and strategy. It was made clear that this had been formulated due to the impact on resources, not necessarily financial, but the availability of appliances elsewhere. It was hoped that the letters and eventual charge would ensure premises checked their lifts were adequately maintained. It was accepted that being stuck in a lift was not a pleasant experience , and it was emphasised that HFRS will always respond if someone was trapped or there were other extenuating circumstances. Officers hoped that premises would develop their own contingency plans, and HFRS would be supportive of this.
Members discussed in detail the proposed charging mechanism for lift incidents. Whilst Members were pleased that HFRS would continue to help those trapped in lifts, some felt that the strategy was too lenient, as the call out is not only a drain on resources, but takes an appliance away from somewhere it may be needed. The Committee was keen for the letters to emphasise that each call out does impact on limited resources, and asked that the letters contain details of the cost of the call out.
The Committee endorsed the strategy to seek a reduction in the number of lift incidents, but requested that it be trialled for a 12 month period with a report submitted on its impact in September 2010. Members were hopeful that the scheme would act as an incentive for people to better manage their lift systems and procedures, to reduce the impact on HFRS resources.
RESOLVED:
That:
(a) The Committee accept the findings of the report.
(b) The Committee note the adoption of the proposed strategy for dealing with preventable incidents.
(c) The Committee agree the continuation of the current Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) policy for dealing with AFAs, to enable the Service to maintain the current call challenging process.
(d) The Committee approve the principle of the adoption of a charging mechanism for the recovery of costs incurred as a result of HFRS attendance at identified lift incidents.
(e) The Committee RECOMMEND to the fire authority the charging mechanism for lift incidents and this be adopted with effect from 1 July 2009.
(f) A report be submitted to the Committee in September 2010 on the effectiveness of the new lift charging mechanism.
162 BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (BVPI) AND LOCAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (LPI)
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book), highlighting performance indicator data for the third quarter of 2008/09. Members were informed that the targets the indicators have been measured against, will be revised in April 2009 to be made more stretching, and help drive improvements in performance.
RESOLVED:
That the third quarter's performance be noted and the strategies to meet the targets be endorsed.
163 NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE REPORT - NATIONAL NEW DIMENSION PROGRAMME
The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Chief Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) summarising the main findings of the National Audit Office (NAO) report on the Government sponsored `New Dimension' programme. Whilst the NAO report was critical of the management of the process, the programme had provided resilience for Fire and Rescue Services. Members were pleased to note that HFRS had sought opportunities to integrate and use the equipment, as demonstrated by the training event at Esso (Fawley), and therefore that HFRS was better prepared than most to use the equipment provided to them.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee note the findings of the National Audit Office Report and endorse the management and development of New Dimensions assets within Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.