Agenda item

Report of the Chief Fire Officer (DSFRA/18/4) attached.

The Authority considered a report of the Chief Fire Officer (DSFRA/18/4) to which was appended the proposed Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2018 – 2022.  The draft Plan, as approved by the Authority at its meeting on 20 October 2017 (Minute DSFRA/40 refers), had been subject to an eight week consultation the results of which had been considered by the Community Safety & Corporate Planning Committee at its meeting on 1 February 2018.  The Committee had subsequently resolved to recommend the IRMP to the Authority for approval (Minute CSCPC/9 refers).

Councillor Eastman MOVED (with Councillor Ellery seconding):

“that the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2018 – 2022, as appended to report DSFRA/18/4, be approved”.

Some Authority Members commented on concerns expressed by the FBU and one member of the public as to the consultation process undertaken for the draft Integrated Risk Management Plan.  Additionally, Councillor Hannaford expressed concern over the high-level, strategic nature of the document and MOVED (with Councillor Biederman seconding) that the Motion before the Authority be AMENDED:

 “by replacement of words “be approved” by the words “be deferred” i.e. the Motion to read that the that the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2018 – 2022, as appended to report DSFRA/18/4, be deferred”.

In debating this issue further, Members commented that the draft Plan had been considered both by the Community Safety & Corporate Planning Committee and the full Authority prior to the consultation period commencing. 

The Director of Service Improvement confirmed that the plan was evidence-based and that the outcome of the consultation was that the majority (70%) of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that the plan accurately identified risks to be addressed and high-level mitigating actions to deal with these risks.  The draft Plan had been subject to a full consultation process (including engagement and responses from representative bodies). 

The Director of Service Improvement advised that the “Risk Category – Efficient and effective use of our resources” section of the Plan, “Did you know…?” third bullet point would be amended to read “One two-pump on-call station has attended 170 RTC incidents in five years, whereas another two-pump on-call station attended only one”.

Detailed action plans arising from the Integrated Risk Management Plan would be subject to further consultation as required and in line with Best Value Statutory guidance.

The amendment as moved by Councillor Hannaford was then put to the vote and declared LOST.

Members commented that the Community Safety & Corporate Planning Committee would consider and recommend detailed proposals arising from the Integrated Risk Management Plan and that there might also be merit in establishing a Task and Finish Group, to be open to all Authority Members, to consider the potential consequences of implementation of such proposals.

Councillor Eastman indicated that he would be prepared to accept an amendment to this effect.  The Motion, amended as indicated, was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED whereupon it was

RESOLVED

(a).      that, subject to the amendment as indicated at the meeting by the Director of Service Improvement, the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2018 – 2022, as appended to report DSFRA/18/4, be approved;

(b).      that detailed proposals arising from the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2018 – 2022 be subject to appropriate consultation and approval by the Authority, through the Community Safety & Corporate Planning Committee;

(c).      that a Members Task and Finish Group (open to all Authority Members) be established to examine the potential consequences of implementation of any such proposals.

(IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDER 24(3), COUNCILLOR HANNAFORD REQUESTED THAT HIS VOTE AGAINST APPROVAL OF THE INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2018 – 2022 BE RECORDED).