Meeting documents

To elect a Chairman for 2016/17

(Councillor Dransfield presiding)

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Busby be re-elected Chairman of the Fire Authority for 2016/17.

RESOLVED –

That Councillor Busby be re-elected Chairman of the Authority for

2016/17.

(Councillor Busby in the Chair)

To appoint a Vice-Chairman for 2016/17

It was moved and seconded that Councillor Dransfield be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Fire Authority for 2016/17.

RESOLVED –

That Councillor Dransfield be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Authority for 2016/17.

To approve, and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Fire Authority held on 10 February 2016 (Item 4)

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Fire Authority held on 10 February 2016, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive the Chairman’s announcements (if any).

The Chairman welcomed the new Members Councillors David Carroll and Jean Teesdale from Buckinghamshire County Council (and Councillor Denise Brunning from Milton Keynes Council) to the Authority.

The Chairman’s Announcements had been circulated in advance.

Under the Buckinghamshire Fire Services (Combination Scheme) Order 1996 Part III paragraph 12 – Each constituent authority shall, so far as is practicable, appoint such number of representatives to be members of the Authority as is proportionate to the number of local government electors in its area in relation to the number of such electors on the other constituent authority’s area.

The electorate for Buckinghamshire County Council is 375,790 as at 1 December 2015 (Office for National Statistics, 24 February 2016) 67.7% (389,414 as at 1 December 2014, Office for National Statistics). The electorate for Milton Keynes Council is 179,328 as at 1 December 2015 (Office for National Statistics, 24 February 2016) 32.3% (181,934 as at 1 December 2014, Office for National Statistics).

Total Number of Members                                                17

Buckinghamshire            375,790      (67.7%)      12               (11.509)

Milton Keynes                 179,328      (32.3%)        5                 (5.491)

This equates to Authority Membership for Buckinghamshire County Council 12 Members and Milton Keynes Council 5 Members.

To note that the Constituent Authorities have appointed the following Members to serve on the Fire Authority for 2016/17:

Buckinghamshire County Council (12)

Councillors Busby, Carroll, Clarke OBE, Glover, Gomm, Huxley, Lambert, Mallen, Reed, Schofield, Teesdale and Watson

Milton Keynes Council (5)

Councillors Brunning, Dransfield, Exon, Marland and Wilson

The Authority noted that the following Members had been appointed by the Constituent Authorities to serve on the Fire Authority for 2016/17:

Buckinghamshire County Council (12)

Councillors Busby, Carroll, Clarke, Glover, Gomm, Huxley, Lambert, Mallen, Reed, Schofield, Teesdale and Watson

Milton Keynes Council (5)

Councillors Brunning, Dransfield, Exon, Marland and Wilson

A discussion was held on membership of the Authority and it was requested that a review of the number of Members on the Fire Authority be reported to the Fire Authority meeting February 2017 with recommendations and taking into account a potential seat for the Police and Crime Commissioner.

(a)     Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

The Authority is required by the above Regulations to review the basis of allocation of seats amongst the Political Groups either at its Annual Meeting, or as soon as practicable thereafter, or following a change in its Membership.  In making its review, the Authority is required, so far as reasonably practicable, to comply with the following principles:

(i)                 Not all seats on each Committee are to be allocated to the same Group.

(ii)          The majority of seats is to be allocated to a particular Group if the number of persons belonging to that Group is a majority on the Authority.

(iii)         Subject to the above paragraphs, the number of seats on the Committees allocated to each Group should bear the same proportion to the total of all the seats on the Committees as that borne by the number of Members of that Group to the Membership of the Authority.

(iv)         Subject to paragraphs (i) to (iii) above, that the number of the seats on the body which are allocated to different political groups bears the same proportion to the number of all the seats on that body as is borne by the number of members of that group to the membership of the authority.

Subject to formal notification of the Membership of each Political Group, the allocation of seats on the Authority is as follows:

Conservative Group:                           11 seats      (64.7059%)

Liberal Democrat Group:                     2 seats        (11.7647%)

Labour Group:                                    2 seats        (11.7647%)

United Kingdom Independence Party  1 seat                    (5.8823%)

Independent         Group                             1 seat                   (5.8823%)

The1990 Regulationsrequire anotice in writing signed by two or more Membersof theAuthority toestablish a political group.  As the United Kingdom Independence Party and the Independent Grouponly have oneMember each onthe Authority,those Members cannot be regardedas apolitical group within the terms of the Regulations. However, the Regulations are modified where Members of the Authorityare ‘ungrouped’. Theeffect of the modification is that the politicalgroups represented on the Authority’s committees should be proportionalto theGroups’ membership of the Authority with the remainderof seatson committees to be filled by any ungrouped member(s).

The Authority is asked to note the report.

Contact Officer:    Katie Nellist (Democratic Services Officer) – 01296 744633

Background papers:        None.

(b)          Committee Appointments

To consider making appointments to the Authority’s committees.

Executive Committee

The Authority is asked to make appointments to the Executive Committee (8 Members).

It is recommended that the seats should be allocated as follows:

Conservative - 5

Liberal Democrat – 1

Labour - 1

Ungrouped member – 1

Overview and Audit Committee

The Authority is asked to make appointments to the Overview and Audit Committee (9 Members).

It is recommended that the seats should be allocated as follows:

Conservative - 6

Liberal Democrat - 1

Labour – 1

Ungrouped member - 1

(a)       Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990

The Authority noted that the allocation of seats on the Authority was:

(i)         Conservative Group:           11 seats               (64.7059%)

(ii)        Liberal Democrat Group:    2 seats                 (11.7647%)

(iii)       Labour Group:                      2 seats                 (11.7647%)

(iv)       UK Independence Party     1 seat                 (5.8823%)

(v)        Independent Group             1 seat                  (5.8823%)

(b)       Committee Matters – Committee Appointments

            RESOLVED –

That the following Committees be appointed and seats allocated, as follows:

(a)          Executive Committee (8 members):

(i)         Conservatives – 5 seats

(ii)        Liberal Democrats – 1 seat

(iii)       Labour – 1 seat

(iv)       Ungrouped Member – 1 seat

(b)          Overview and Audit Committee (9 members):

(i)         Conservatives – 6 seats

(ii)        Liberal Democrats – 1 seat

(iii)       Labour – 1 seat

(iv)       Ungrouped Member – 1 seat

2.         That the following Members be appointed to the Executive Committee:

Councillors Busby, Carroll, Dransfield, Gomm, Lambert, Marland, Reed, Schofield

3.         That the following Members be appointed to the Overview and Audit Committee:

Councillors Brunning, Clarke, Exon, Glover, Huxley, Mallen, Teesdale, Watson and Wilson

Fire Authority

Wednesday 19 October 2016             at 11.00am

Wednesday 14 December 2016                   at 11.00am

Wednesday 15 February 2017           at 11.00am

Wednesday 7 June 2017                    at 11.00am

Executive Committee

Wednesday 13 July 2016                            at 10.00am

Wednesday 21 September 2016                  at 10.00am

Wednesday 23 November 2016                   at 10.00am

Wednesday 8 February 2017             at 10.00am

Wednesday 15 March 2017                at 10.00am

Wednesday 10 May 2017                            at 10.00am

Overview & Audit Committee

Wednesday 27 July 2016                            at 10.00am

Wednesday 14 September 2016                  at 10.00am

Wednesday 7 December 2016            at 10.00am

Wednesday 8 March 2017                           at 10.00am

The Authority considered possible dates for its meetings and meetings of its committees during 2016/17.

RESOLVED –

1.            That meetings of the Authority be held on Wednesday 19 October 2016, 14 December 2016, Wednesday 15 February 2017 and Wednesday 7 June 2017, all at 11 a.m.

2.            That meetings of the Executive  Committee be held on Wednesday 13 July 2016, Wednesday 21 September 2016, Wednesday 23 November 2016, Wednesday 8 February 2017, Wednesday 15 March 2017 and Wednesday 10 May 2017, all at 10 a.m.

3.            That meetings of the Overview and Audit Committee be held on Wednesday 27 July 2016, Wednesday 14 September 2016, Wednesday 7 December 2016 and Wednesday 8 March 2017, all at 10 a.m.

(a)       Local Government Association Annual Conference

To appoint 1 Member to attend as the Authority’s representative at the Local Government Association’s Annual Conference.

(b)       Local Government Association Fire Commission

To appoint 1 Member and Standing Deputy to represent the Authority at the Local Government Association’s Fire Commission.

(c)       Local Government Association Annual Fire Conference

To appoint 1 Member to attend as the Authority’s representative at the Local Government Association’s Annual Fire Conference.

(d)       Combined Fire Authorities Conference

To appoint 1 Member to attend as the Authority’s representative at the Combined Fire Authorities Conference.

(e)        Thames Valley Fire Control Service – Joint Committee

(i)           To appoint 2 Representatives to the Thames Valley Fire Control Service – Joint Committee.

(ii)          To nominate 2 substitute members to the Thames Valley Fire Control Service – Joint Committee (in the event the 2 representatives are unable to attend).

The Authority considered the appointment of representatives to outside bodies:

RESOLVED –

1.            That Councillor Busby be appointed as the Authority’s representative to the Local Government Association Annual Conference.

2.            That Councillor Busby be appointed as the Authority’s representative (and Councillor Dransfield as the Standing Deputy) to the Local Government Association Fire Commission.

3.            That Councillor Busby be appointed as the Authority’s representative to the Local Government Association Annual Fire Conference.

4.            That Councillor Busby be appointed as the Authority’s representative to the Combined Fire Authorities Conference.

5.            That Councillors Dransfield and Reed be appointed as the Authority’s representatives on the Thames Valley Fire Control Service – Joint Committee.

6.            That Councillors Busby and Clarke OBE be nominated as substitute members on the Thames Valley Fire Control Service – Joint Committee.

To consider the allocation of Lead Member Responsibilities.  The Lead Member Responsibilities are currently as follows:

The Authority is recommended to approve the allocation of Lead Member Responsibilities.

Background Papers:        None

The Authority considered the allocation of Lead Member responsibilities.

RESOLVED –

That Members be appointed as Lead Members for 2016/17 as follows:        

Executive Committee – 11 May 2016

Strategic Training and Delivery Partnership

"That the Fire Authority receive a version of the presentation at its meeting on 8 June 2016."

A copy of the report considered by the Executive Committee on 11 May 2016 is attached

The Authority is advised that the Executive Committee also resolved:

1.           that the progress and benefits already realised through the 2015/16 training and delivery partnership be acknowledged;

2.       that the training partnership with the Fire Service College procured through the ‘Wider Public Sector Framework’ for a further period of one year be approved.

Executive Committee – 11 May 2016

The Authority received a presentation from officers about the Strategic Training and Development Partnership on the recommendation of Executive Committee.

Strategic Training and Development Partnership

Members were advised that the innovative approach towards the delivery of operational training, in partnership with the Fire Service College, had not only proven to be financially intelligent, but also enabled the operational competencies of all front-line supervisory commanders and firefighters to be realistically challenged, whilst at the same time, being subject to independent assessment and scrutiny.

Members noted that although originally introduced as a ‘pilot’ in May 2015, the Strategic Training and Delivery Partnership had already realised notable benefits, not only in terms of the training outcomes, but also towards the continual enhancement of the Authority’s professional reputation, with the Authority’s employees delivering what was essentially Fire Service College courses, to both national and international delegates.

Members also noted that from the period 1 October 2015 to 30 April 2016, a total of 232 operational staff had attended the validation exercises, during which 230 staff were assessed in respect of their Breathing Apparatus competencies, with all but 3 operational staff attaining the required standards. These 3 staff were subsequently provided with development plans and support, enabling them to all successfully complete their respective re-assessments. In addition to Breathing Apparatus, 84 supervisory commanders underwent Incident Command System (Level 1) assessments, with all demonstrating the required level of competence.

The Lead Member for Human Resources and Equality and Diversity advised Members that the original reason for using the Fire Service College was not financial, but to provide the best quality training for all the Authority’s operational staff and this was indeed the case. This training had given the Authority’s operational staff the opportunity to train in a safe environment in a way that would not usually be possible.

In response to a Member’s question the Authority was advised that at the Fire Service College, there were many different scenarios: an airplane, train, helicopter, high-rise building, shops etc., and this scheme gives the Authority’s firefighters the best possible facilities for its firefighters to train for the whole spectrum of types of emergency.

A Member asked whether, if more fire and rescue services used it, this would impact on availability; and was advised that the college facilities were so extensive that many services could use them simultaneously if they wished.

Members noted the resolutions already agreed at the Executive Committee meeting on 11 May 2016.

To consider item 15

The Lead Member for Human and Resources and Equality Diversity advised Members that it was a comprehensive report and sets out how the Authority would comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED); set the Authority’s four yearly objectives; and update on progress since 2012.

The Director of People and Organisational Development advised Members that the Authority had always taken its commitment to equality diversity and inclusion seriously, and had a declared aim as part of the Authority’s Core Values that it values equality and diversity within the service and the community. It was four years since the Authority last presented an outline plan and strategy around equality and diversity, and it was a statutory requirement that it was completed every four years. The difference this year was that it had integrated the equality and diversity of its employees with the equality and diversity work it carries out in the community, so there was one holistic view.

The Employee Relations Manager gave Members a brief presentation and advised that the purpose of the report was to set the Authority’s four yearly objectives for 2016-2020; comply with the public sector equality duty; present the workforce diversity data in the form of charts and tables; review the 2012-15 objectives; and to set out measures needed to meet the objectives.

Members were advised that:

• the equality and diversity objective was designed to underpin the people strategy; to deliver the public safety plan; and to meet the requirements of the equality duty in the exercise of its functions.
• the Authority aimed to be an employer of choice, attracting, recruiting, retaining and developing staff from diverse backgrounds, to reflect the communities it serves. It would also provide a more diverse range of services to better protect the communities it served. The employment offer would be inclusive and embrace flexibility to support improved diversity representation across the service and the culture would engage and value diversity and difference to enhance its service offering to the public.
• the Authority employs 538 people. Operational employees make up 78% of the entire workforce and it was important to note that there was a low turnover of whole time firefighters, mainly as a result of pension arrangements. There had been a whole time firefighter recruitment freeze and a decline in the overall numbers of operational staff employed and as a result of this, there had been limited opportunities to recruit; therefore it has been historically difficult to change the composition of the workforce in terms of diversity in order to better reflect the communities served. The last recruitment for whole time operational firefighters was in 2009.

A Member asked that if the Authority was going to promote more Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) employees how would this be achieved and was advised that it would be achieved through engaging with community groups through prevention and protection work and the recruitment the Authority was currently undertaking for On Call/Part Time Firefighters and apprenticeships over the next three years. The under-represented groups  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To consider item 16

The Lead Member for Health and Safety and Corporate Risk introduced the report and advised Members that following the presentation of the Annual Health and Safety Report at the Fire Authority meeting in December 2015 a request was made by a Member for performance comparisons between Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and fire services of a similar size and demographic.

The Head of Service Transformation advised Members that the statistical information was provided from returns to the Department of Communities and Local Government at the end of May each year for the previous year. In future, the statistics would now be reported into the Home Office in the same way.

Members were advised that although the increase in injuries at fires figure was very low, the Authority was not complacent, and although only cuts and grazes had occurred at operational incidents, they would be investigated to find out the underlying cause and an intervention put in place. Members could be assured that the Authority had a very good safety record.

Members were also advised that there had been a positive decrease in vehicle accidents. Time and effort had been invested into training and a new procedure for staff to follow and line managers would ensure their staff followed those procedures.

RESOLVED –

That the report be noted.

To consider item 17

The Head of Service Delivery introduced the report and explained to Members that this was part of the way the Authority was starting to diversify its activities and look at different ways to help and save lives in the community. This pilot scheme was now being progressed and extending co-responding to the deployment of defibrillators to confirmed cardiac incidents.

Members received a presentation from the Station Commander Buckingham and Co-Responding regarding developing the Co-Responder partnership with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS).

Members were advised that an opportunity had been identified to take a collaborative approach and assist in a new way with existing equipment and skills to make the residents of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes safer. The pilot provided a timely and proportionate response to incidents in line with corporate objectives. The Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2015 state that a community response was the way forward. Victims of cardiac arrest had a 50-70% chance of survival if defibrillated in 3-5 minutes of collapse. Currently only 2% of victims in the UK are defibrillated before arrival of the ambulance. This pilot aims to improve those statistics and was another example of improving the community response to medical emergencies.

Members were advised that following an online survey which 118 staff responded to, the following was noted:-

• 82% of staff agreed that there should be a trial to assist SCAS when attending cardiac arrest incidents;
• 82% of staff would volunteer to take part in such a trial;
• 81% of crews agreed that they had the required basic skills to make an intervention at a cardiac arrest incident before the arrival of an ambulance;
• 87% of respondents agreed that the Authority’s appliances carry the basic essential equipment required to make an intervention at a cardiac arrest incident before the arrival of an ambulance.

Members were advised that looking forward, the following could be expected this year:

• A new Memorandum of Understanding with SCAS would include cardiac arrest;
• A service-wide response to the most serious incidents that SCAS face - with existing skills and equipment our staff would respond to confirmed cardiac arrests on a voluntary basis. This would make the people of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes safer;
• Expansion of co-responder schemes across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes - Stations including Newport Pagnell and Gerrards Cross had put themselves forward to become co-responder stations. Watches in High Wycombe and Aylesbury had also expressed an interest;
• Improved mobilisation to co-responder incidents - the Authority was looking to make improvements to the way co-responders were mobilised. SCAS were centralising the co-responder mobilising desks and the Authority was proposing to place equipment in Thames Valley Fire Control to speed up call handling and mobilisation to cardiac arrest incidents;
• Enhanced and standardised equipment - the Thames Valley fire and rescue services would work with SCAS to have standardised and interchangeable equipment on all appliances.
• The Immediate Emergency Care qualification - the ambitious plan was to train all fire and rescue employees to IEC standard. The five day course covers co-response, trauma  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To consider item 18

The presentation given to Members by the Group Commander, Service Delivery South, gave an overview of the two noteworthy incidents that occurred simultaneously in Olney and Stony Stratford on the afternoon of 1 May 2016.

Members were informed that the incident at Olney began around 1pm and was a fire that started in the courtyard of an old inn and hotel and rapidly spread, causing damage to the first and second floors, and roof of the premises. Members were also informed that at around 3pm, whilst still dealing with the incident at Olney, the Service received another call to a fire in Stony Stratford that had started in commercial premises and which caused significant damage to the whole building including an adjoining property. The Group Commander, who attended both incidents, reported to Members on the challenges faced by the attending crews and how the two incidents were professionally and effectively dealt with.

During the presentation, the Head of Service Delivery explained how the Authority managed its resources on a day to day basis to ensure that appropriate fire cover was maintained and was available throughout the county to meet its risk demand profile. Members were also informed as to how Thames Valley Fire Control Service and the Resource Management Team managed the operational resource demands during these two simultaneous incidents.

The presentation concluded with Members being shown aerial footage of the premises at Stony Stratford post incident. The footage, utilised at Stony Stratford to support the fire investigation was captured by the Service’s drone, which had subsequently been mobilised to an incident at the request of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

RESOLVED –

That the presentation be noted.

(Councillors Teesdale and Watson left the meeting)

To consider item 19

The Head of Service Delivery introduced Crew Commander Adam Burch from Blue Watch High Wycombe who would give a brief presentation on an initiative at High Wycombe Fire Station, which emphasised where the service was not only engaging with the community, but making a real difference working with partners.

The Lead Member for Human Resources and Equality and Diversity advised Members that he was invited to go to Cressex School, High Wycombe to see this particular project and the impact it had on the children was very significant. The work that the Authority’s employees do in the community with children was extremely beneficial.

Crew Commander Burch explained to Members that the new project being piloted at High Wycombe Fire Station was aimed at 11-14 year olds who don’t participate in physical activity and who were not achieving the standards they should at school and how the Authority can integrate some key fire safety messages while delivering a good educational package. It was a six week course with topics such as life of a firefighter, diet and nutrition, health and wellbeing, hoax calls and arson, community fire safety and how to maintain a healthy life style.

The course aimed to transform the lives of young people who currently do not actively participate in physical education and aimed to trigger changes in behaviour, improving confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately its aim was to develop young people’s understanding of the importance of living a healthier and more active lifestyle, using the role of a firefighter as inspiration and incorporating the delivery of key fire safety messages.

Members were advised that the objectives were to build a more active, inclusive and healthier Community; create a safer community through important educational messages and improved social interaction; inspire and raise aspirations by enabling continued participation and supporting physical, educational and personal development.

Moving forward there was additional Sportivate funding for two new courses; access to LEAP’s Coaching Fund; training and mentoring support; discounted development seminars and lectures and an introduction to additional funding steams for future projects. To ensure the project remains sustainable the Authority was looking into improving cost efficiency and building partnerships with local businesses.

(Councillor Marland left the meeting)

To receive a presentation

The Head of Service Delivery introduced Crew Commander Paul Henderson from Red Watch Broughton Fire Station who would carry on the theme of community engagement. Members were aware of the home fire risk checks, these were now being developed, along with Age UK and NHS Milton Keynes, to look at the subject of falls prevention alongside fire prevention. As Members would appreciate, a lot of the target groups visited to prevent fires, would come under this group as well.

Crew Commander Henderson advised Members that the Authority had entered into a relationship with NHS Milton Keynes and Age UK and statistics from the Age UK website show that up to 1 in 3 people over 65 suffer a fall in the UK each year (3.4 million people); falls cost the NHS an estimated £4.6m a day (£1.7b a year); it was a major cause of injury/death in the over 70’s; and accounts for over 50% of hospital admissions for accidental injuries in over 70’s.

It was important to the Authority as it already worked to reduce a person’s risk from fire and there was a direct link between falls and an individual’s independence, reduced mobility, fitness, which often lead to increased risk of fire and fire death. Age UK and MK Falls would refer to the service individuals to receive home fire risk checks, and the service would identify individuals who could potentially benefit from the Falls Prevention Service, and refer them back to Age UK and MK Falls.

Wholetime crews from Milton Keynes East Stations (Broughton and Newport Pagnell) had received training. The Training was station based and delivered by MK Falls and focused on the risk factors for falls. This would enable crews to identify the appropriate people and make referrals. The new referral process commenced in January 2016 and once this initial phase had been established, any lessons learned would be incorporated and the scheme would be expanded and ‘rolled out’ across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 2.00PM