Agenda item

(i)              Report of the Chief Fire Officer, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

(ii)             Presentation from the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

The Chairman asked the Chief Fire Officer, CDDFRS and Co-opted Member, S Errington to give a presentation in relation to the CDDFRS Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) Action Plan 2017/18 Consultation (for copy see file of minutes).

The Chief Fire Officer began by thanking the Committee for their support to the CDDFRS and reminded Members that the IRMP was the process used by Fire Services nationally to ensure the risk to people and property was identified and reduced through efficient use of available resources.  It was added that the IRMP was a statutory duty and was how Fire Services responded to The Fire and Rescue Services Act.  It was noted that the current IRMP was coming to an end, each being over a 3 year period, and therefore the new IRMP would be for 2017-2020, depending upon any new guidance.  It was added that while it was not a statutory duty to consult upon the Action Plan associated with the IRMP, CDDFRS did so.

Councillors noted that funding for the CDDFRS came from 2 main sources, with a Government grant making up 35% and the remaining 65% coming from precept payments made from the local tax-payers and non-domestic rate payers in County Durham and Darlington. 

It was added that in 2010 this had been a 50/50 split.  Members were reminded that over the last 6 years, CDDFRS had transformed the way services were provided to the community, in response to a cut of £6 million to Government funding, without increasing risk in our local communities. 

It was noted that in 2016, the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority (CDDFRA) had agreed to a four year funding settlement despite it representing a 19% cut as it then provided a level of clarity in the medium term to be able to consider how to deal with the further reductions.

The Committee were referred to a table setting out the CDDFRS Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) up to the 2019/20 budget.  It was noted that the 2016/17 budget was balanced and that forecasts were for the 2017/18 budget to have a slight shortfall and for this to increase to a shortfall of £1.529 million by the 2019/20 budget, though this was an improved forecast from that made last year which was approximately £3 million.

The Chief Fire Officer noted recruitment taking place, with applications to be made online, a lot of interest having been shown already and for starts in May/June 2017.  Members were shown a diagram setting out how the money received by the CDDFRS was allocated and spent in terms of employees, premises, transport, supplies and services, capital financing and contingencies.  Members noted the budget for 2016/17 was £28.608 million, compared to approximately £34 million in 2010.

Councillors noted that there were three questions set out within the IRMP Consultation, those being:

Proposal One – Based upon the outcomes of the emergency medical response (EMR) trial, should we continue this work with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) provided it supports our core fire and rescue service strategic priorities?

Members noted that call times had been reduced to 8 minutes in terms of cardiac arrest and breathing difficulties, though national trial outcomes were not yet known.  The Chief Fire Officer added that issues were not solved in the short-term, and it would be preferable to have a national programme and associated funding.  The Committee were reminded that these extra responsibilities were not within a Fire Fighters contracted duties and the Chief Fire Officer reiterated that some form of funding locally and nationally should look to provide financial incentive. 

Proposal Two – Would you support us in exploring further collaboration with health services in the future?

The Chief Fire Officer was aware that the Committee were well sighted in terms of the work involved with Public Health and Safe and Wellbeing Visits (SWVs) being carried out by Fire Fighters and the big impact this was having, both in terms of individuals helped but in terms of helping understand trends and patterns.  It was noted there was scope to help engage with vulnerable people and also for community fire stations to allow use of their gym equipment.

Proposal Three – Do you agree that we should share High Handenhold Fire Station with Durham Police?

It was explained that this was a proposal similar to a tri-service facility in Barnard Castle, though this proposal was for CDDFRS and Durham Constabulary.  It was added that discussions would be held with staff as well as the Chief Constable and the PCVC and it was noted that beyond the financial savings there were other benefits, for example in intelligence sharing.

The Chief Fire Officer concluded by reiterating that the CDDFRS was a high performing Fire and Rescue Service and asked Members to provide feedback on the proposals, noting that Members could provide individual responses via several methods, details having been provided to Members.

The Chairman thanked the Chief Fire Officer and asked Members for any questions and responses to the proposals.

Councillor J Armstrong noted it was a “no-brainer”, agreeing with the proposals as set out by the Chief Fire Officer.

Councillor F Tinsley noted the Fire Service was very different to 20 years ago with more emphasis on health and asked whether this was felt as a step change or a natural progression.  Councillor F Tinsley also asked whether demand was increase as funding was decreasing.  The Chief Fire Officer explained that Government statistics showed that fires had decreased by around 40%, however, this did not reflect the changing types of fires, with decreases in house fires while other areas such as arson and anti-social behaviour were becoming more demanding.  It was explained that there had been investment in equipment and that Fire Fighters had moved to new working practices to incorporate Community Safety work so that all staff were working productively at all times.  It was explained that in terms of fire deaths, the Fire Service worked with Public Health in terms of hard to reach vulnerable groups.

The Chairman asked for comments on Proposal 1, and asked the Chief Fire Officer if there were risks should the CDDFRS not continue with EMR.  The Chief Fire Officer noted that in the last 12 months, 70 cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPRs) had been carried out across 3 stations and felt that this demonstrated the value of the work.  It was reiterated that training and funding were required as this was over and above contracted duties.

The Chairman reminded that Members could respond as individuals to the IMRP consultation as the Chief Fire Officer had mentioned and asked the Members as a Committee whether they supported Proposal 1.  Members agreed.

The Chief Fire Officer noted that if the CDDFRS had a resource that could help in terms of Public Health issues, then they would need to work together, however, should the nature of the SWVs change to included actions such as administering flu jabs, then this would need to be supported with cost-recovery as a minimum.  Councillor T Nearney noted he supported Proposal 2 and added that Members could see from the report on the SWVs carried out by a Working Group to the Committee that CDDFRS was leading nationally in terms of performance in this regard and while this was very good, there was risk in terms of the CDDFRS and partners facing further reductions in their funding.  Councillors were asked if they agreed with Proposal 2, all agreed.

The Chairman asked the Committee as regards their thoughts on Proposal 3 and asked the Chief Fire Officer if this type of arrangement would be more prevalent in the future.  The Chief Fire Officer noted that there was no risk, however, there had been specific consultations with local residents and it was added that the proposal would help to reduce costs and protect frontline services.  All Members agreed with Proposal 3.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained the comments from Members would be captured, along with those from Members of the Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee who would also consider the report, and then pulled together to formulate a response, to be signed off by the Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Resolved:   

(i)              That the report and presentation be noted.

(ii)             That the comments of the Committee, together with the views from the Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee are submitted to the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service in response to the consultation on their IRMP Action Plan for 2017/18.