To receive the annual report of Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority.

The new Chief Fire Officer, Nathan Travis, was welcomed to Council. Councillor RJ Phillips, vice-chairman of the Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority, introduced the report and invited questions from members.

During the discussion, the following principal points were made:

·                Attention was drawn to the success of the ‘Dying 2 Drive’ scheme, with almost 1500 young people attending, and praise given to the organisers, particularly Angela Tyler, and to the schools that had signed up. It was commented that the organisers were raising money for a simulator and councillors were urged to give their support to the initiative.

Councillor Phillips asked councillors to report back to schools in their wards about the value of the scheme.

·                Comments were made about Herefordshire’s large geographic area and, whilst recognising the budget pressures for all public services, the need to protect frontline firefighters.

In response, the Chief Fire Officer said that the fire authority was considering its medium term financial plan and it was estimated that by 2019/20 there would be a budget deficit of between £1.6m and £2.4m, predicated on the national pay agreement. He advised that a review was being undertaken on staffing across the board and the authority would be looking to manage a balanced budget whilst indicating its priorities to frontline firefighters.

·                It was noted that the service had attended 6,459 incidents in 2015-16, representing an increase of 347 on the previous year, and it was requested that a breakdown of figures for Herefordshire be provided for different types of fire and road traffic incidents.

Councillor Phillips and the Chief Fire Officer agreed to circulate further information. The Chairman suggested that it would be helpful if such further detail could be included in fire authority reports to Council in the future.

·                With reference made to Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), it was requested that the voluntary Day Crewing Plus duty system trial period review findings be reported to councillors. It was also requested that the outcome of the Wyre Forest hub station consultation be made available.

Councillor Phillips said that, whilst it was a document belonging to the fire authority, the CRMP could be shared with councillors. However, the Wyre Forest hub station was considered a Worcestershire issue and this would be debated at the next fire authority meeting.

The Chief Fire Officer reminded Council that key documents about the service were already available on its website (at http://www.hwfire.org.uk/your-right-to-know/our-publications/), alongside information about fire authority meetings and agenda (at https://hwfire.cmis.uk.com/hwfire/Meetings.aspx).

·                A councillor commented that, at a recent town council meeting, reference had been made to negotiations ongoing between the police and fire service to combine the site in Bromyard. Confirmation was sought about these negotiations, whether it was desirable, and whether it would have any effect on the service provided by that fire station.

Councillor Phillips commented on the efficiencies associated with combining fire, police and blue light services, particularly during a time of public constraint. He said that an audit had been undertaken across the two counties; a joint station was to open in Evesham in December and other sites were being looked at in Bromsgrove and Redditch, as well as in Hereford.

The Chief Fire Officer reported: Bromyard was being considered as a possible joint station; the fire service was in early discussions with the police and the council to create a new hub in Hereford; the potential for the fire service to support the wider police agenda, and vice versa, was something he was keen to champion; and crews at the fire stations were being consulted and feedback was positive. He noted the benefits of combining services from both financial and service delivery perspectives.

RESOLVED:

That the annual report of the Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority be received.