Agenda item

The Board will receive a presentation from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service updating the Members on the performance over the last 12 months.

 

The Board received a presentation from Mr G O’Rourke, Unitary Performance Manager, Cheshire Rescue and Fire Service which:-

 

·        Outlined that the average reductions for Fire Services over 2011-12 and 2012-13 was a total of 7.7% in grant,  The Government had said that grant reductions would be back loaded;

 

·        Outlined that Cheshire had benefited from a small 2.2% increase over the two years but this still represented a cut because of the costs of inflation led price rises;

 

·        Set out that the grant settlement was better than others due to the risk profile;

 

·        Explained that the Fire Minister, Bob Neill had been very clear that FRS’s would be hit harder in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and intelligence received suggested that the average grant reduction would be 12%;

 

·        Highlighted that it was important to prepare for the financial challenges over the next four years as £4.75m of savings would need to be delivered;

 

·        Set out the risks if grant settlements for 2013-14 and 2014-15 were worse than expected then the Strategy and savings plan and that the Government offer of a Council Tax freeze had been taken for 2011-12 with the assumption that it would be acceptable to increase CT by 2.5% in future years;

 

·        Outlined that there would be a fundamental review of Local Government Financing taking place during January – July 2011 which may have profound effects on future grant settlements and the level of reserves commensurated with the risks that were managed; and

 

·        Set out the management structure and the proposed future structure of the Fire and Rescue Service.

 

The following points arose from the discussion:-

 

·        It was noted that recruitment of fire fighters had been frozen for four years.  However, it was reported that there were no plans for voluntary redundancies and the 28 jobs that had been lost had been absorbed into other stations and via natural wastage.  This had resulted in there being an excess of 28 fire fighters over four watches across the organisation which would minimise any natural wastage over the next four years during the recruitment freeze;

 

·        It was noted that Halton had a significant number of COMA sites because of the nature of the area.  It was also noted that Inspections, visits, exercises and then annual visits were undertaken on COMA sites;

 

·        The excellent work Cheshire Fire Service undertook with the Council such as clean up days, working with youths etc, was noted. The Board agreed that the Council had a very good relationship with the Cheshire Fire Service and they were proud of their achievements to date.  It was agreed that a letter be sent to Cheshire Fire Service expressing the Board’s good wishes and appreciation for their achievements to date;

 

·        It was noted that fire fighters operating the ‘On Call’ system were required to live within five minutes from the station;

 

·        It was noted that there were no proposals to make any changes to the fire station in Lacey Street, Widnes; and

 

·        It was noted that the 96 hour system would allow families to visit as living accommodation would be available for each individual.  It was reported that this system had proved popular in Lancashire.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)                     the presentation be received;

 

(2)                     Mr G O’Rourke be thanked for his informative presentation;

 

(3)                     the comments raised be noted; and

 

(4)                     a letter of appreciation for all their achievements to date be sent to Cheshire Fire Service on behalf of the Board.