Agenda item

An opportunity for the Panel to provide its response to the proposals put forward by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner as part of the public consultation into the future of the fire and rescue service.

Considered –

The Commissioner’s proposals for the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service as highlighted through the public consultation on the Risk and Resource Model (RRM).

The Commissioner outlined the work undertaken to develop the detailed risk profile for North Yorkshire, which formed the basis of the proposals developed around resourcing.  The Commissioner outlined the engagement undertaken with communities and key stakeholders as part of the consultation process.  The final Risk and Resource Model will be taken for agreement to the Executive Board in September.

The service was thanked by York members of the Panel following the major incident being called over the last few days following the extremely hot weather.  However, it was highlighted that this had demonstrated the importance of resilience both nationally and locally.  Concerns were outlined around the proposals impacting Huntington (York) and south Ryedale, and that a unanimous motion had been passed at City of York Council recently against the proposals.  Members expressed that the problems facing the service are not just local and are long-term challenges requiring greater precept flexibility.  The Commissioner was asked what she intends to do to ensure that concerns around national funding and precept flexibility are heard in relation to the diminished response times proposed for Huntington.  It was also highlighted to the Commissioner that while the consultation document refers to up to a 4-minute delay in response from Huntington in the future, the FBU has said that the delay could realistically be up to 16 minutes.  The Commissioner was asked for clarification.

In response, the Commissioner thanked the Panel for their input earlier this year into the dialogue with government around precept flexibility, which also included all North Yorkshire and York MPs.  The Home Office came up in March to look around fire stations and there has also been a recent HMI inspection.  The Commissioner has also met with the FBU, Rachael Maskell MP and the Home Secretary to put financial concerns forward.  The Commissioner believes that the government is now looking at the funding formula for fire and rescue.  However, the Commissioner was keen to clarify that the RRM is not about cuts as although the budget is tight it is balanced.  She would therefore still be progressing this exercise as the service needs to understand where the greatest risks to service are and to ensure that resources are in the right place.  The Commissioner particularly wants to address issues around On-call recruitment and how best to reinvest the £1.5m identified over the next few years. 

In relation to the Huntington response times and FBU figures, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) advised that these represented one incident and that the service extended to a five-year review of data to go beyond the Covid-19 period.  It was acknowledged that for communities, response times are important but that the service needs to focus work with communities on fire prevention and safety.  Communities anticipate that additional housing developments and road networks represent greater fire risk but the CFO expressed that statistically, these are the safest networks and smoke alarms are hard-wired into new housing.  The CFO referenced the need for culture change around equalities and inclusion and that training all officers in seeing ‘the person’ more holistically will help to support identification and tackling of risk.

Notwithstanding the responses provided by the CFO and Commissioner, Members expressed that there remain strong views from residents across York and over 1000 people have signed a petition regarding the proposals.  The Commissioner was asked if she has taken into account the importance of Huntington as a strategic location, with a new community stadium and growing communities in the north area, as well as proximity to the A64, which has a poor accident record.  The Commissioner was also asked if the MoD had been approached in relation to Strensall barracks and the number of fire incidents.

The CFO responded that the risk plan takes into account business and local infrastructure and that things like the new stadium represent a very low fire risk.  Large gatherings require resilience planning with partners as a matter of course.  Careful analysis was undertaken regarding the A64 and it was acknowledged that education of individuals for accident prevention is key.  The Commissioner acknowledged the concerns of local residents in the Strensall area regarding the potential for fires on the common in the dry season and that she is happy to have further conversations on this locally.

Members expressed similar concerns regarding the proposals for Harrogate and Scarborough, particularly around increasing development in Harrogate district and neighbouring towns, along with the rurality of the district presenting specific problems.  The Commissioner was asked whether the recent extreme weather has led to a need to re-assess the risk model for the area.  The CFO commented that the multi-agency response had worked well the last few days and calling a major incident brought in more support.  The CFO felt the RRM approach will assist with tackling wildfires in terms of more officers and the right appliances in the right areas.  The Panel heard also that the investment in On-Call across the county will also significantly help ensure a greater level of fire cover.

The Commissioner was asked whether there is, or could be, a charging mechanism put in place regarding false alarms.  The Commissioner would like to work with businesses further to understanding why this is happening and for the fire service to help educate.  Some fire services have started to charge but this hasn’t necessarily resulted in a decrease in false alarms.

In response to a query regarding the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) from the Panel, the Commissioner provided reassurance that the RRM will tie in activity with the LRF.

Resolved –

That the Panel will formulate a response to the Commissioner’s public consultation on the Risk and Resource Model, based on the views expressed by Panel members at the meeting.