Agenda item

To consider Item 7.

The Station Commander for Resilience and Business Continuity presented the report and confirmed that the Risk Register had been reviewed regularly by the Performance Monitoring Board, and updated by the Strategic Management Board, most recently on the 19 October 2021. 

Changes to the Risk Register since the last meeting included transfer of the EU transition risk from the Corporate Risk Register to the Prevention, Response and Resilience Risk Register, which would be monitored by officers as agreed by the Committee in July.  A Climate Change Action Plan had been prepared and would be discussed later which sets out how the Authority would respond to climate change.

There had been no changes to the remaining risk scores and associated rag status since the last meeting.  Updates on the status of all the risks had been explained and the relevant risk owner had added information when required.

The staff availability risk had been updated to include the upcoming firefighter recruitment initiative to employ between 15 to 18 new firefighters.  The potential impact of the government’s increase of National Insurance costs and the impending comprehensive spending review, had been added to the funding and savings risk. 

Viruses and malware remained a potent risk to information systems due to the increase in the number of attacks on high profile companies. Staff had been reminded of the mandatory e-training packages.  The resurgence of Covid-19 still remained a risk and was reviewed regularly.  Covid-19 controls were in place in all premises and staff absence due to Covid-19, remained low. 

The McCloud/Sargent detriment case still posed a risk.  A mutually acceptable agreement regarding the handling of the immediate detriment had been agreed by the LGA and FBU.  A report would be going to the Executive Committee Meeting on the 17 November which outlined the situation.

A Member asked if Covid-19 had affected recruitment and the staffing and operations of appliances.  The Head of Prevention, Response and Resilience confirmed that Covid-19 had created challenges, but the Service had responded to all incidents effectively.  Going forward, the Service was looking to recruit 15 to 18 new firefighters to enhance operational staff numbers. 

A question was raised regarding the funding of pensions and the effect on budgets.  The Director of Finance and Assets informed Members that Firefighter pensions were funded differently from many other schemes. The Authority would pay the pension and receive a top-up grant of 80% of the net costs, and then receive 20% at the end of the year for the remaining amount.  The budget would not be affected but the flow of cash would need to be monitored by the treasury team.

A Member asked if there were plans for ‘normal’ working and training to be reintroduced.  The Head of Covid-19 Preparedness and Response confirmed that this had been discussed recently, but due to the onset of autumn and winter, the high rates locally, and the potential of new variants, caution was still required. 

A Member asked why the Service was employing 15 - 18 firefighters and not a set number.  The Head of Prevention, Response and Resilience explained that at present the exact number of firefighters who may retire/leave was uncertain, and this range gave the Service some flexibility. 

A Member asked if a risk should be added regarding the potential for the Authority to come under the Police and Crime Commissioner and should the Authority not be working through potential risks now.  The Chief Fire Officer explained that a White Paper was imminent, but this had been the case for the past 12 months.  Following the White Paper, the Authority would respond to the consultation, and if legislation were passed, the Authority would move to prepare for changes.  All Group Leaders had been briefed regarding the current position, and Chief Fire Officers from other Services who now come under a Police and Crime Commissioner had spoken to the senior management team about the experience. 

Members discussed the risk and agreed it was too early to add to the risk map.

A Member asked about the uptake rate of the Covid-19 vaccination.  The Head of Covid-19 Preparedness and Response informed the Committee that data had not been collected regarding the vaccination uptake, but he was confident that it was quite high.  He emphasised that well embedded welfare arrangements were in place to deal with Covid-19.

A Member asked about the recruitment process and if standards were being maintained.  The Head of Prevention, Response and Resilience confirmed that standards would not be lowered during the process.  More people would be tested and interviewed than required to cover dropouts.  It was hoped that moving forward, the Service could create a pool of people that could be invited back, as vacancies arise.

RESOLVED –

1.     That the status on identified corporate risks at Annex C be reviewed and approved.

2.     That comments be provided to officers for consideration and attention in future updates/reports.