Agenda item

For the Panel to consider the outcomes of the recent inspection report (published 18 June).

Considered

The report of the Deputy Mayor regarding the outcomes of the recent inspection of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service by HMICFRS.

The Panel commended the fire and rescue service and Deputy Mayor on the positive report from the inspectorate and the improvements made since the previous inspection a few years ago.  The Deputy Mayor also commended the work of the former Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe, and the Chief Fire officer thanked service staff for their work.

Members asked about cost recovery for automatic alarm callouts as while the policy is in place, recovery hasn’t been implemented.  The Chief Fire Officer felt that engagement with the business community is a key strength and while the service will retain the potential to charge, success is measured around securing engagement.  Where needed, prosecutions will be applied where businesses do not comply with the law.

The Deputy Mayor was asked about the delay to implementation of some duty systems.  In response, the Deputy Mayor spoke to the need to bring people with you as part of any change and that risks must continue to be assessed so that the system implemented can respond effectively.  In relation to Harrogate area specifically, it was highlighted that the service has reached agreement with the trade unions on the changes so these can be implemented.

In response to a query as to whether the service uses staff appraisals appropriately, the Chief Fire Officer spoke to how the organisation has developed so that reviews help to drive forward improvement.  The Panel also asked about data management and how it is used to drive decisions.  A data dashboard has been developed to enable a more meaningful analysis.  The Deputy Mayor highlighted that data packs are available to view for her Online Public Meetings.

The Panel considered the issue of financial sustainability of the service and plans to invest further in the estate.  Members also asked about the increase in longer term sickness absence and strategies for addressing this to bring down costs.  The Deputy Mayor underlined the need for investment in staff and workplace conditions and the Chief Fire Officer highlighted work underway with the trade union on a capability policy.

Members asked the Deputy Mayor about the tool used for dynamic mobilisation of cover and sought reassurance that redeployments aren’t routine.  The CFO offered to provide more detail and reassurance around use of the tool outside of the Panel meeting for Members.

Members highlighted that while many of the Panel view the Deputy Mayor’s Online Public Meetings and are aware of the material taken to those meetings, it’s important for the Panel to be approached as a separate entity.  It was agreed that it would be helpful for the Deputy Mayor to provide service performance packs for the Panel where it’s anticipated that there will be questions on issues of performance.

The Panel asked about investment in fire stations, particularly Malton, to help reduce inequalities.  It was highlighted in response that the service is committed to a ten-year plan which will ensure improvements to Malton and two other stations.

Resolved

That the Panel notes the report provided.