Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

1)    A member of the public asked “How many times have the specific individual aspects of the removal of the second fire appliance in Rotherham  been scrutinised at the Fire Authority and where can I find the minutes of these meetings?”

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Management Board indicated that he was unable to provide an answer to that, but would ask the Joint Authorities Governance Unit, which administered the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority to provide information for a response.

            Response from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority below:-

Changes to the staffing of the second fire appliance at Rotherham fire station, alongside other related issues, have been considered on at least six occasions by members of the Fire Authority. Minutes of Fire Authority meetings are publicly available at www.southyorks.gov.uk.

The Chair reported that there were no items of business on the agenda which would require the exclusion of the press or public from the meeting.

Following the Council’s resolution in respect of Rotherham Fire Station on 24 January 2018, the Chief Fire Officer for South Yorkshire, Mr. James Courtney, and the Vice-Chair of the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor Alan Atkin, attended the meeting to provide information in respect of the reasons supporting the decision taken by the Fire and Rescue Authority in 2013 to change the operational staffing of the second fire engine at Rotherham Fire Station.

In his opening remarks, Mr Courtney reminded Members of the impact of austerity which had been felt since April 2011, with a 27% reduction in the overall operating budget since that time. This has led to inevitable reductions in the number of staff employed by the Fire and Rescue Service, but he had sought to work with Fire Authority Members to identify how to maintain the best service possible within the available budget. Part of the process involved the development of an Integrated Risk Management Plan, which required a re-evaluation of the extent of risk from fire and other circumstances across South Yorkshire and across individual areas in South Yorkshire.

Furthermore, Mr Courtney explained that whilst South Yorkshire was considered a metropolitan county, it should be regarded as lean in relation to the level of resource it had compared to the other metropolitan fire services. Regrettably the government had not taken that into account in respect of funding decisions. The extent of leanness had meant that there were already fewer fire stations across the area. In determining future levels of cover, it was explained that first pump response had been protected to provide immediate response, but this had meant that efficiency savings had to be found from the second pump provision. The government’s planning criteria made it clear that resource provision should vary according to demand and a ‘one size fits all’ model was not considered to be appropriate or viable. 

Mr Courtney raised the constant reference to underspends and build-up of financial reserves. He explained that, whilst the whole situation had been driven by reducing budget, the pace of change had been dictated by the rate at which firefighters retire. This factor had outstripped the rate by which the service’s budget had reduced. The recruitment of fire fighters represented a 40 year commitment to the service because of changes made to pension scheme. The service was now operating five crewing systems, which provided the flexibility to deploy resources when required. In the context of Rotherham Fire Station, the Fire Authority had consulted extensively on proposals in run up to publication of 2014-17 Integrated Risk Management Plan  There were currently two pumps operational during day, whose focus was mainly on preventative work. During the night time, Rotherham was no worse off than 14 other fire stations in South Yorkshire, who have the same provision of one operational pump. With respect to reserves, Mr Courtney explained that there was no capital grant and no supportive borrowing available to the authority. Therefore it was necessary to find  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 11 April 2018 at 11.00 a.m. in Rotherham Town Hall.

Resolved:-

That the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board be held on Wednesday 11 April 2018 commencing at 11.00 a.m. in Rotherham Town Hall.