Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Steve Owen-Hughes, Director of
Community Protection and Emergencies
Jason Russell, Executive
Director for Highways, Transport and Environment
Denise Turner-Stewart, Cabinet
Member for Community Services
Key
points raised during the discussion:
- The
Director of Community Protection and Emergencies presented the
Committee with a presentation which detailed proposals for service
wide transformation of the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). A
detailed presentation is attached as Annex 1 to the minutes. The
Committee were informed that the publication of Her Majesty’s
Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
(HMICFRS) inspection report on the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
had been delayed to 14 December 2018.
Councillor Heath left the meeting at 12.30
- The
Chairman raised concerns around plans to consult the public on a
new Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) during the purdah period
in 2019. To ensure the service improves and
savings are achieved, the Executive Director explained that
transformation work would need to take place as a matter of
urgency. It was agreed that details and timelines for the public
consultation would be shared with the Committee once
finalised.
- There was a
short discussion around possible income generating opportunities
for the SFRS and activities that could be charged for. The Director
of Community Protection and Emergencies explained that one of the
key responsibilities of Fire and Rescue Authorities is to protect
life and it was therefore difficult to charge for activities when
risk of life was paramount.
- Although
there had been a reduction in the number of fires over the last ten
years, the Director of Community Protection and Emergencies
explained that this number was now increasing.
- With
regards to Initial Response Vehicles (IRVs), it was explained by
officers that these vehicles were widely used all over Europe.
Surrey County Council had been using these on a trial basis but
this model of service delivery was not supported by the Fire
Brigades Union (FBU). Although the concept was still valid, IRVs
would not be utilised by Surrey going forward. The Executive
Director further added that £6m savings enlisted for the
service had been predicated on the introduction of
IRVs.
- The Cabinet
Member recognised that a number of changes were required to improve
SFRS and these were supported by the Cabinet. There would be
investment made to the service to ensure improvements could take
place. The Cabinet Member reinforced the importance of scrutiny
during the period of transformation.
- It was
explained that the Fordbridge fire station in Ashford would be
opening in January 2019 and both Staines and Sunbury fire stations
would be vacated by this date.
- The
Chairman proposed that a Member Reference Group is convened to
support the SFRS transformation programme.
- A Member of
the Committee stated that the Summary Full Business Case included
within the agenda item was very high level and a simpler version
should be made available for public consumption. The Director of
Community Protection and Emergencies confirmed that a copy of the
Full Business Case had been shared with the Home Office. It was
further added that feedback from HMICFRS had informed content within the
Full Business Case.
Mike
Bennison left the meeting at 13:59
- It was
confirmed that officers were currently putting together a
communications and media strategy to inform staff and residents on
the results of the HMICFRS inspection report.
Resolved:
- That a
Member Reference Group is convened to support the SFRS
transformation programme.
- That a copy
of the HMICFRS inspection report on SFRS is
shared with the Committee once published.