Agenda item

The Chair introduced Roy Wilsher, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), who gave members an update on the work the NFCC has carried out over the last year. This included an overview of work on the new inspectorate and standards body, as well as inspections following the Hackitt Review. The NFCC had established an action plan going forward into next year, which was designed to support FRAs to work collaboratively. The action plan covered risk assessments, advice on governance, workforce reform strategy, finance, prevention work and development of a digital strategy. Roy noted that the NFCC had been supporting the Hackitt Review and that it had representation on each of the six workstreams.  

On the Professional Standards Body (PSB), Roy explained that work on this would go through the NFCC's Central Programme Office and would be supported by FRAs. He noted that there was a proposal to establish a board that would sit above the PSB, and that the LGA and NFCC would both have seats on that board. Underneath this would be a consultation group which would involve all other stakeholders. Roy advised members that FRSs would not be required to contribute any additional funding but that match funding from the Home Office had been secured and there was talk of the Home Office contributing £1.5 million per year for this work. Members were told that the paper included in the agenda pack was the start of the engagement and consultation process and Roy noted that there would also be a workshop on this subject at the LGA's Fire Conference. 

Members made the following comments: 

·         Members raised concerned about funding and questioned how long the Home Office's commitment to £1.5 million per year would last. Roy explained that the money had been agreed up until the next Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) but that the Government would not be able to commit to any additional funding beyond that.  

·         Members noted that they had been advised that there would be an approximate £27,000 cost to each FRA for this work and they were concerned that this amount could increase. Roy explained that no additional cost burden would be placed on FRAs on top of what had already been agreed. He agreed that the new inspection regime should not impose too much of an added burden on FRAs and he noted that there would be no more than one inspection per year. 

·         On the inspectorate, members sought reassurance that the new regime would be proportionate and that there would be transparency in terms of future costs to FRAs. There were concerns that additional staff would need to be hired for the inspection process post-Grenfell and that while it was agreed that buildings must be inspected, that additional burden needed to come with extra resource.

·         Members were keen to know how long the standards guidance would last and whether it was anticipated that there would be further changes in the future. Roy hoped that the new standards would have longevity but did note that circumstances can change and that they would be at the whim of the Government so it was not possible to give any guarantees at this stage. 

·         Some concerns were raised about the lack of involvement FRAs have had in developing the new standards guidance. Members felt that the LGA could be more involved in the process. Roy noted that the FSMC had a seat on the Professional Standards Body Project Board and that he fed back Members' views from FSMC meetings. Roy suggested that he could meet with the Chair more regularly between FSMC meetings if it would be helpful. 

Decision 

Members noted the presentation. 

Action 

Officers to arrange additional meetings between Cllr Ian Stephens as Chair of the FSMC and RoyWilsher.