Agenda item

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 a means to invest in infrastructure, as the need to provide the best equipment remained and the need for fire stations to be fit for purpose also remained. In addition, he commented that reserves gave no indication to the extent to which the budget had reduced and should not be used to pay overtime.

Members queried whether more fire fatalities occurred in domestic properties or at commercial/industrial premises. In response, Mr Courtney confirmed that fire fatalities were more prevalent at domestic properties. Members then sought assurances in respect of the cover provided in the borough in the view of significant housing development expected, as that could present a risk to safety under the current operational provision. Mr Courtney explained that development was occurring across the country and modern building techniques in the construction industry meant that fires at domestic properties were much less likely to happen. He outlined the current position in respect of night time cover in Rotherham and accepted that the stations providing cover were further apart, but were covered with a five person crew, rather than a four person crew. He referenced the work done with trade unions in the past year to introduce a new resourcing system which meant that fire fighters were not wedded to a single watch and this had provided a degree of flexibility.

Members queried whether the Chief Fire Officer would make the same decision as was made in 2013 regarding the removal of the second pump from Rotherham Fire Station. Mr Courtney reminded Members of his earlier comments in respect of increasing development and the government’s requirements for service provision. He outlined that the future financial position was not clear and added that this could lead to further changes to the crewing of second pumps across South Yorkshire, however the risk based approach to deploying and managing resources would still require cover to be provided in Sheffield and Doncaster where there was a higher prevalence of high-rise premises. Mr Courtney explained that he had invited the new Director of Support Services to review the financial assumptions and planning to identify whether previous decisions had been correct. The outcome of the review had indicated that previous decisions in respect of budgetary management had been correct. He indicated that the Fire Authority would continue to re-evaluate the situation and if there were any opportunity to review the situation in Rotherham then this would happen. Ultimately, with circumstances being as they were, Mr Courtney indicated that he would recommend the same decision to remove the second pump from Rotherham again.

In response to a query as to how the people of Rotherham should feel about subsidising cover for other areas of South Yorkshire whilst their own cover had been reduced, Mr Courtney outlined the risks associated with providing cover across South Yorkshire, making specific reference to the requirements for Sheffield and Doncaster due to the number of high-rise buildings in those local authority areas. The reality was that there would always be a part of the county that would feel potentially aggrieved at the way in which operational cover was arranged. Information was constantly being collated and analysed to inform operational decisions, but the reality was that the budget no longer enabled the previous level of cover provided.

Members sought clarification as to why the Fire and Rescue Service would not use its reserves to maintain the Rotherham pump. Mr Courtney confirmed that such an approach would not be financially prudent with a view to the unknown funding arrangements after 2020. Whilst the Fire and Rescue Service was fortunate to have healthy levels of reserves, that money should not be used to pay for staff and would be a financially responsible approach to adopt for the Fire Authority.

Members noted that the night time resilience plan that was due to be implemented after the loss of the second night time pump at Rotherham Fire Station had not yet occurred. Mr Courtney explained that an alternative retained appliance at Birley Fire Station was providing cover presently. Members sought clarification in respect of the response time from Birley. In response, Mr Courtney confirmed that the response time was less than five minutes into the fire station and then a further ten minutes into Rotherham, but this was to provide cover at Rotherham Fire Station rather than responding to an incident. It was explained that recruitment processes had delayed the introduction of the night time resilience plan.

Assurances were sought in respect of the process in respect of developing the Integrated Risk Management Plan. Mr Courtney explained that it was developed in accordance with the process required under the national framework, which is live document and under review constantly, irrespective of the three year period. Planning had commenced a year before the date that the plan came into effect. Consultation had taken place with the Scrutiny Committee at the South Yorkshire Fire Authority and Mr Courtney was assured that a comprehensive process had taken place to consult on the contents of the plan. Members referred to the minutes of a seminar that had taken place in Rotherham and the absence of any mention of the removal of the second appliance in Rotherham.

With reference to the ongoing financial situation, Mr Courtney confirmed the intention to contribute to reserves again as this was considered to the most prudent approach in view of the uncertainty in respect of funding after 2020. He also remarked that had the Fire Authority been afforded the same flexibility given to the police in respect of the precept, there was a possibility that it could have been specifically invested in Rotherham. However, there was a need to look at South Yorkshire as a whole and Rotherham would be re-visited as part of the continued re-evaluation of operational requirements.

Having reflected on the information provided by the Chief Fire Officer and the Vice-Chair of the Fire Authority, OSMB:

Resolved:-

1.    That the following recommendations be agreed to referral to the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority

(a)  That the Fire Authority consider the reinstatement of the second night time pump at Rotherham Fire Station to ensure that there is equality and consistency of cover with Sheffield and Doncaster. In the meantime, priority should be given to resolving the night time resilience provision for Rotherham.

(b)  That when the Fire and Rescue Service is consulting on future IRMPs it should be considered by the constituent authority’s Scrutiny Committees to receive considered feedback.

(c)  That future iterations of the IRMP detail crewing arrangements to provide greater public confidence in service cover.

2.    That the following recommendations be agreed for submission to the Leader of the Council:-

(a)  That the Council receives minutes of the Combined Authority and Joint Committees and a verbal update from designated spokespersons at every other meeting with effect from May 2018.

(b)  That the Leader of the Council write to the Fire Minister expressing the concerns of this authority in respect of the continued cuts to SYFRS budgets and the detrimental impact on the level of cover provided.