Archived decisions

COUNCIL MEETING, 19 NOVEMBER, 2009

REPORT OF THE

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

DRAFT HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE PLAN 2010 TO 2013 - PROPOSED CORPORATE OBJECTIVES AND CONSULTATION STRATEGY

1. The Authority's corporate plan covers a three year period which is reviewed, consulted on and updated annually. It is called the "Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan" and is developed using a well-established corporate planning process and performance management framework. The process ensures that the corporate objectives in the Plan remain relevant in the changing context in which the Service operates and is responsive to its various stakeholders.

2. Important elements of the process include regular reviews of:

    · current and emerging risks

    · operating context - assessing social, technological, economic, environmental, political, legal and ethical factors

    · strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

    · past and current performance

    · the findings and recommendations from external and internal audits

    · central government expectations.

3. Careful consideration is given to the resource implications of proposed new corporate objectives as well as the Service's capacity to deliver them. The Plan is therefore presented for final approval by the Authority at its budget meeting in February each year.

4. The current Plan sets out five priorities with targets under the headings: people, property, community, environment and resources. These priorities and targets continue to be pursued in the 2010 to 2013 Plan. The Authority has approved seven new corporate objectives for the next three years. They include: new risk based response standards, making better use of firefighters, tackling small fires in a better way, getting to incidents in rural areas faster, increasing contact with the public, creating a dedicated fire investigation service and reviewing staff numbers. Consultation on these objectives with all stakeholders, including the County Council, is underway and is a critical part of the Plan's development. Consultation started on 21 September, 2009 and is to be completed on 11 December, 2009.

5. This report arises from consideration of the report of the Chief Officer to the Authority meeting on 16 September, 2009 and is on Hantsweb at /decisions/decisions-docs/090916-fireau-R09091543521html

THE NOTTINGHAM DECLARATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority acknowledges the increasing impact that climate change will have on the community during the twenty first century and is committed to tackling the causes and effects of a changing climate. The Authority welcomes the opportunity to work with Central Government to contribute, at a local level, to the delivery of the UK Climate Change Programme, the Kyoto Protocol and the target for carbon dioxide reduction by 2010. To demonstrate this, the Chairman of the Authority and the Chief Officer have signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change. Since its launch in October 2000, it has been supported by more than 300 English Councils, including Hampshire County Council and a number of fire authorities. Endorsement of this Declaration demonstrates the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority's commitment to reducing its impact on the environment and to focus attention on the environmental aspects of all existing and new initiatives.

              ROYSTON SMITH (SOUTHAMPTON)

              Chairman

4IR621009