Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

Members are requested to disclose the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and any other interests as required by the Fire Authority’s Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no communications.

*To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2016.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2016 be confirmed and signed as a true record.

* To consider a report

DCFO Ranger submitted a report on performance for the first quarter of 2016/17 and an update on the progress and status of the Service Delivery Programme and projects to date.

AC Ball provided an update on the Replacement Mobilising System.  The go live date for Essex Fire and Rescue Service had been delayed from 13 September to 21 September 2016 as some issues had arisen the previous weekend.  All the issues had been resolved with the exception of one which the provider was still progressing and had expressed confidence that this would be resolved by the end of the week.  A meeting was being held on 16 September 2016 where progress would be discussed and AC Ball would provide an update to Members following that meeting.

Within the Service, all 4i training had been completed and the feedback from Control staff on the new system had been very positive.  Previous issues with the Integrated Command and Control System (ICCS) were being resolved.

SOC Evans reported on the progress of the Retained Duty System Improvement Project.  The Gartan availability module had been launched on 27 July 2016 and this improved the management of retained firefighter availability by improving the way RDS staff could book on and off call and how the Service could access this information.  This could be done by text, via the mobile app or a computer and provided real-time information on the availability of individuals and appliances.  This would enable the Service to explore more flexible working arrangements which should assist in the recruitment and retention of RDS staff.

As a result of the Gartan module being introduced, a phased alerting system had been implemented at Leighton Buzzard and Biggleswade Fire Stations.  This enabled the Service to alert only the individuals required for the appliance needed and would result in less inconvenience to RDS staff as well as savings for the Service.

Workstream leads for the project working groups had been allocated and work was progressing well.  Recruitment of new RDS staff had been identified as a priority.  The Service had utilised a variety of methods to recruit staff to RDS stations but was constrained by the proximity these individuals must live or work to the stations.  Employers were also more reluctant to release their employees as had previously been the case.

Job satisfaction, in the context of reducing fire calls, was also an issue.  Co-responding could improve job satisfaction and motivation, as well as improving the financial remuneration available.

In response to questions, SOC Evans advised that the app was produced by Gartan and that the Service was not solely reliant on the app to determine RDS availability.

AC Ball updated the Group on the progress against the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP).  Work was progressing at a local and regional level, although there were delays at national level.

DCFO Ranger introduced the performance report for Quarter 1 2016/17.  He reminded Members that a number of indicators had been set more stretching targets for the current  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16-17/SD/15

* To receive a verbal update

Following the consideration of the 2015/16 year-end performance indicators at the Group’s last meeting and the scrutiny of performance against PI11 (the percentage of occasions when our response time for critical fire incidents were met against agreed response standards), which had missed its target by 2%, SOC Evans advised that he had been investigating the performance against that indicator at the request of the Group.

It appeared that there had been a technical error in the collection of the data behind this indicator and a written report including an accurate performance figure would be submitted to the next meeting of the Group.

RESOLVED:

That the update on attendance standards be noted and that a report on attendance standards be submitted to the next meeting of the Group.

* To receive a verbal update

There were no exceptions to report.

* To consider a report

SOC G Jeffery submitted an overview of partnerships following the 2015/16 annual review of Community Safety partnerships.  These were primarily the main partnership groups rather than sub-groups or individual organisations.  The Service regularly worked in partnership with other organisations to share information and public information campaigns.

In response to a request to allow local Looked After Children access to the Community Fire Stations for activities during the school holidays, SOC G Jeffery suggested that he be contacted to progress this.

RESOLVED:

That the outcomes from the 2015/16 review of Community Safety partnerships and the partnership policy and supporting documentation have also been subject to review be acknowledged.

* To consider a report

SOC G Jeffery presented the results of Customer Satisfaction surveys conducted from 1 April 2015- 31 March 2016.  Overall, the Service had received a 99.6% satisfaction rate from local people for the services provided to them.

The decreased percentage of survey response returns had been recognised and the Service was experimenting with different methods to increase return rates in 2016/17.

DCFO Ranger reported that the results of the customer satisfaction survey would be included in the Service’s Blue Bulletin.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the high levels of customer satisfaction achieved throughout the year be acknowledged and that the changes in the method of gathering data to be trialled during 2016/17 be noted.

2.         That the low number of complaints received during the year, particularly those that were progressed past Stage 1, be recognised as another indicator of the high level of service provided by Fire and Rescue staff.

* To consider a report

SOC I Evans presented the review of the Corporate Risk Register.  He reported that CRR01 (If we do not plan properly for major operational incidents then we may not be able to resolve the incident appropriately and thus adversely affect our service delivery provision) would be moved to the tolerate section of the register following a review of the risk and its controls.

The risks associated with the renovation of London Luton Airport were discussed.  It was noted that the increase in passenger numbers using the airport presented an additional risk.

The Group was advised that the Service worked closely with the airport to ensure that it was kept informed of the physical changes at the airport.  The Service did have alternative routes to access the airport in the event of an emergency.

In response to a comment, DCFO Ranger confirmed that the Service would have command of a major incident at the airport as the airside fire service was responsible primarily for initial operations.

The two updates to CRR02 and CRR44 relating to the Retained Duty System had been discussed under the project update in Minute 16-17/SD/015 above.

RESOLVED:

That the review by the Service of the Corporate Risk Register in relation to Service Delivery be approved.

* To consider a report

The Group received its updated work programme for 2016/17.

DCFO Ranger suggested that a presentation be given to the next meeting on the work of the Special Operations Team and that this also be presented on the Member Development Day.

Arising from a request for the results of the forced entry pilot with the Ambulance Service, it was noted that the six month pilot concluded in December 2016 and that the results could be presented to the first meeting of the Group in 2017.

The Chair reported that the MP for Bedford and Kempston had advised him that the Service had been recognised in Parliament as a beacon for its collaborative work with the Police and the Ambulance Service.

RESOLVED:

1.         That a presentation on the Special Operations Team and an update on collaboration with the Police and Ambulance Service be received by the Group at its next meeting.

2.         That the results of the forced entry pilot be presented to the Group’s meeting in March 2017.