LGA Governance


Agenda item

Agenda item

Fire Service College

Tim Jackson, Business Development Director of The Fire Service College

Minutes:

The Chair introduced Tim Jackson, Business Development Director of The Fire Service College who gave an overview of how the College was benefitting from investment and the various improvements made to the College over the past few years.

 

Tim explained that there had been an agreement made between the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Capita on the change of ownership of the College and that there had been a considerable amount invested into the College since Capita had purchased it. The investment was primarily put towards the upkeep of the College, which costs £11 billion each year to keep open, as well as a refurbishment project and the maintenance of existing infrastructure and facilities. Tim said that £35 million had been invested since the purchase and while the improvements were being done incrementally, a number of works had already been completed including a new accommodation block, new breathing apparatus facility and refurbishments to the restaurants, bars, reception and toilets, some of which were ongoing. The result of this investment meant that the College was the second largest training site in the world, the only site in the UK with full accommodation, and the largest conference venue in the south west. Tim said that the College had had over 400,000 delegates through its doors over the past 40 years and that the College tried hard to maintain good standards.

 

In order to maintain these investments, Tim noted that the College had to diversify with new markets but that the international market was growing. He said that the UK Fire and Rescue Service generated 50 per cent of the College’s revenue, with other government agencies and the private sector generating a further 25 per cent each. The College was making a profit for the first time this year, which would allow further investment back into the college and the services it provided, including additional foundation training programmes for new recruits, a new eLearning platform, a new scheduling/booking system and the renovation of blocks which had not been used for some time.

 

In terms of the leadership and direction of the College, members were told that the fire and rescue service was still the primary customer of the College but that its strategy had to be adapted to remain open by sourcing other clients. The leadership team was taking a more proactive approach in its communication with clients and a new senior advisory team would be put in place. The College was looking for members’ support to develop a relationship with the UK fire and rescue service and was clear that they wanted the service to be a strategic partner. Tim invited members to visit the College and said there was an open invite for anyone who wanted to see the facilities it offered.

 

Members made the following comments:

 

·         Having visited the College, members voiced their endorsement of it and encouraged other members to visit. Members said that it was exciting to see the range of activity taking place at the College and that the facilities were an impressive asset.

 

Decision:

 

Members noted the presentation.