Agenda item

Andy Fry, CFOA Vice-President, addressed the Fire Commission on CFOA’s plans to revise their governance and operating procedures which had been agreed by the CFOA Annual General Meeting on 14 September 2016.

The following points were raised as part of the presentation:

·         CFOA were proposing to become the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). The Council would be the main decision making body with a number of coordinating committees underneath. A full-time Chair of the NFCC would be elected on a two or three year basis, which was a change from the current arrangements where the President of CFOA was a part-time position lasting a year.

·         CFOA were looking to improve capacity, continuity and impartiality as part of the reforms. There were currently challenges around inclusivity and consensus, and it was important that FRAs saw a return on their investment into the organisation. Members noted that the emerging Home Office fire reform programme, which focussed on efficiency and collaboration, transparency and accountability, and workforce reform, had also been a key driver to change in the organisation.

·         Part of the proposed reforms involved closer working with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). Although it was not a statutory requirement, it was important for the NFCC and the NPCC to work together, particularly around national management of large scale emergencies, procurement, and headquarters support.

·         Regarding transparency and accountability, it was highlighted that there would be joint development of an inspection regime, independent standards, and performance measures, and a single web portal for development would be introduced.

·         Priorities around workforce reform would include reforms of the retained duty system to get as much value as possible, and improvements to equality and diversity of the service.

·         Consideration was being given to whether a representative of the LGA’s Fire Commission would be invited to join the NFCC as a trustee. The election of the NFCC Chair was in progress, with the result expected in November 2016. The shadow NFCC would be in place early in 2017, with the new model fully implemented in April 2017.

In the discussion which followed, Members raised the following points:

·         In a response to a question on funding models for the reformed organisation, the Vice-President explained that there were two options. FRAs could initially see a small increase to annual subscriptions, though over time planned savings in the way NFCC operated compared with current arrangements could mean a small decrease because of savings which were made. However if there was a consensus that FRAs did not wish to pay a greater contribution, the service would be funded through CFOA reserves. The formal approach to FRAs regarding increased subscriptions would be made the following week.

·         It was explained that should the Police and Crime Bill become law then Police and Crime Commissioners would be included in the governance structure of the reformed organisation, alongside FRAs and devolved administrations.

·         Members raised concern that they had been consulted quite late in the process, but were keen to jointly move forward with the reforms.. In response the importance of FRA members and Fire Commission was noted, as was the fact that FSMC Lead Members would continue to meet regularly with the CFOA Presidential team on the fire reform agenda.

Decision

The Fire Commission:

1.    Noted the changes to CFOA’s governance and operating procedures; and

2.    Noted the decision by FSMC Lead Members and the CFOA Presidential team to meet regularly to discuss the fire reform agenda.