Agenda item

The Chair introduced the report, which outlined the issues of interest to the Fire Commission which were not covered elsewhere on the agenda, and invited members’ questions and comments.

In response to a question on an LGA white paper entitled ‘English Devolution: Local Solutions for a Successful Nation’, it was explained that the report did not suggest that the fire and rescue service should merge with other blue light services, but that blue light services should think more generally about how they could work together in a combined authority model promoted through a ‘bottom up’ and place-based approach. The report did not favour a particular model, but was designed to promote debate and raise questions for the sector. Members noted that the report had been approved by the LGA Executive following consultation with the LGA’s political groups.

Members welcomed the news that the government had taken forward the proposal to introduce regulations to make it mandatory for all private sector landlords to ensure working smoke alarms and, in some circumstances, carbon monoxide alarms were installed in all rented properties at the start of each tenancy. The proposal had been included in the LGA and CFOA document ‘The Fire and Rescue Service: Making our Nation Safer’, as part of the ‘first 100 days’ campaign.

Decision

·         Members noted the updates included in the report.