1

Summary

1.1

Consultation on the proposed corporate objectives for the Plan 2010 to 2013 ends on 11 December 2009. So far, the feedback from our staff and the public has been constructive and mostly positive. There are no major concerns to bring to the attention of Members, but inevitably there are some concerns particularly from staff around changes to current ways of working. An oral update will be provided at the meeting with any issues raised since the preparation of this report. A full report on consultation feedback will be presented to the Authority at its meeting on 10 February 2010 when Members will be asked to approve the objectives to be included in the Plan.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.

2.1

That the feedback received so far from consultation with stakeholders on the proposed corporate objectives for the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan 2010 to 2013 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 had held 14 of the 15 consultation events, listed below. In addition, we have received 40 written responses, which includes the formal response from the Fire Brigades Union.

Event

Venue

Date

Attendees

Service Delivery managers

HFRS Headquarters

07/09/09

36

HFRA members

HFRS Headquarters

16/09/09

HFRS managers

HFRS Headquarters

16/09/09

40

Public focus group - Alton

Alton fire station

22/09/09

10

Public focus group - Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst fire station

24/09/09

10

Public focus group - Havant

Havant fire station

29/09/09

10

HFRS staff

Lyndhurst fire station

27/10/09

22

HFRS staff

Cosham fire station

29/10/09

17

Representative bodies

HFRS Headquarters

29/10/09

5

HFRS staff

Redbridge fire station

03/11/09

16

HFRS staff

Basingstoke fire station

04/11/09

22

HFRS staff

HFRS Headquarters

12/11/09

61

HFRS staff

Alton fire station

12/11/09

23

HFRS staff

Rushmoor fire station

25/11/09

43

HFRS managers

HFRS Headquarters

04/12/09

3.3

Apart from these formal consultation events, we have also invited feedback from our various stakeholders via a feedback form on our website. Posters and copies of the draft objectives were sent to all libraries and public information points, as well as to all our fire stations. Letters inviting comments have been sent to:

· all stakeholders on our `stakeholder register'

· neighbouring fire and rescue authorities

· constituent local authorities

· Hampshire's Members of Parliament

· our main partner organisations

· our local partners.

4

Consultation process and feedback

4.1

Each public focus group concentrated on five of the seven objectives. These were identified prior to the consultation process as those most likely to raise concerns or be of particular interest to stakeholders. They are:

Objective 1 - New risk based response standards

Objective 2 - Making best use of our firefighters

Objective 3 - Tackling small fires in a better way

Objective 4 - Getting to incidents in rural areas faster

Objective 5 - Increasing our contact with the community

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

4.2

Staff consultation meetings are being held across the county. These meetings are open to all HFRS staff. Attendance at these meetings has increased, compared to previous years. Many of the station meetings have included representatives from other stations, as well as off duty members of staff.

4.3

Our staff have received regular reminders of the consultation meetings and the methods of giving feedback on the proposed objectives. The briefing sheets used by presenters at meetings have also been released to staff on request to provide extra detail.

4.4

Generally, the feedback we have received from the public has been positive and supportive of the objectives. Not surprisingly, we have received more comments from our staff. A brief summary of the feedback to date, for each objective is set out below.

· Objective 1 - New risk based response standards. The three categories of response standards have been positively received. There are some minor issues surrounding the classification of a few incidents.

· Objective 2 - Making best use of our firefighters. While our staff have commented positively on the benefits of having `small fires' vehicles to attend smaller incidents, some oppose what they perceive is the removal of front line appliances from the four locations where the strategic reserve will operate. The freeing-up of staff to be able to engage with the public and deliver community safety activities has been generally welcomed.

· Objective 3 - Tackling small fires in a better way. Staff are supportive of the introduction of a `small fires' vehicle. However, they would like to see this as an additional resource, instead of removing a pump from front line duties into the `strategic reserve'. [links to comments in Objective 2 above]

· Objective 4 - Getting to incidents in rural areas faster. Staff agree with the principle behind this objective, that we should get to incidents in rural areas faster, however, they have many health and safety and logistical concerns with the proposal. Staff generally do not support the proposal in its current format.

· Objective 5 - Increasing our contact with the community. All staff agree that engaging with our local communities is a key prevention activity, and support increasing the contact with our communities. Concern is expressed about the cost of the mobile community contact points. Staff have suggested the Service should use current resources (vehicles and staff) to carry out the community engagement work.

· Objective 6 - Creating a dedicated fire investigation service. We have received little feedback - perceived by staff as `business as usual'.

· Objective 7 - Reviewing our staff numbers. Our staff agree that equal scrutiny should be given to all areas of the service. But there are concerns over job losses and redundancy.

4.5

On completion of all the consultation events, all the feedback will be collated, summarised and presented with any amendments to the proposed objectives to the Authority at its meeting on 10 February 2010.

4.6

A `learning log' is being continually updated. This identifies practical improvements for the management of the consultation process and preparation of the Service 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 Service 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 Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan 2010 to 2013: proposed corporate objectives and consultation strategy (see item 10)

/decisions/decisions-index/index-docs-7102

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