SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1. The purpose of this paper is to inform Members of the
current situation regarding the process of improvement planning, following the
outcome of the Fire CPA review of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
(IWFRS) in April of this year.
BACKGROUND
2.
The Strategic
Management Team (SMT) are developing an improvement plan that is specific to
our future requirements, that is fully consistent with our corporate targets
and objectives and which will meet the expectations of the various interested
parties, including the ODPM and external auditors.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
3.
It is
acknowledged that options for increased collaborative working need to be at the
forefront of the Improvement Planning process and to this end, a scoping study
considering those options has been requested by the ODPM, by the end of
September. The study will provide
sufficient information, including a critical path, to enable options to be put
forward and will reflect what both this Authority and any partner Authority
wish to achieve.
4.
Following
completion of the scoping paper, a meeting of key players, including the ODPM,
will take place and a final report will be shaped. The aim is to complete a final report from ODPM and the IWFRS CPA
Improvement Plan by the end of November, for discussion at a ‘round
table’. This timetable would tie in
with the Authority’s wider business planning process.
5.
Members may
wish to consider the proposed flow diagram of the Fire and Rescue Improvement
Plan – see Appendix
‘A’. This diagram clearly puts at
the heart of the process, the three key drivers of programme management,
performance management and medium term financial planning.
6.
A harder test
for the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) is due from the end of 2005
– 2008, with a revised framework more user focused and diversity. More focus on use of resources and value for
money, but partnering and joint initiatives will be key. This will be part of our Improvement Plan
that must be based on future expectations to continuously improve and modernise
the Fire Service.
7.
As a result of attaining a weak/poor score under CPA, the Authority has
gained access to the LGA Capacity Building Fund. Currently the Fire and Rescue Service is working on a business
case, aligned to our priorities, which are also linked to the Local Area
Agreement (LAA) proposal, to establish capacity to deliver on our improvement
programme.
8.
Within the Local Area Agreement (LAA) proposal, there are three local
key drivers for change, which are specific to this Fire and Rescue
Service. These include, the Integrated
Risk Management Strategy – a three year strategy for reducing risks within our
community (the Community Safety Plan); the Integrated Risk Management Plan –
yearly action plan to achieve the strategy (the Annual Report) and the Fire and
Rescue Service CPA Improvement Plan – measures to improve following the CPA
outcomes.
CONSULTATION
9.
The
Improvement Plan is subject to consultation at Strategic Management Team level,
Senior Management Group level and the Trade Unions that work with us. Members’ of the Cabinet will also be
involved prior to ‘signing off’ at
Round Table as well as Business Change Manager and Relationship Manager. The ODPM will also be consulted with regard
to the Improvement Plan.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET
IMPLICATIONS
10.
There
will be capacity requirements to fulfil the Improvement Plan and the Fire
Service has re-structured and is reviewing its current working at this
time. It is felt that modernising the
Fire Service may need some re-investment opportunity into the area of Safer
Community work to fulfil Risk Management Plan and LAA outcomes. The cost for this is currently being
assessed to meet the Budget Round.
LEGAL
IMPLICATIONS
11.
There is a requirement to fulfil the Improvement Plan
requirements under Best Value and the ODPM guidance.
OPTIONS
12.
To note and agree the progress towards the Improvement
Plan and the work undertaken during the Scoping Review.
EVALUATION/RISK
MANAGEMENT
13.
Risk Management will form part of the Improvement Plan
in regard to the existing Service risks and the risk of not modernising the
Fire Service which will have dramatic impact on the Service as a whole.
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14.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Option
1. To note and agree progress to date
on the Improvement Plan and Scoping Review document.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
15.
See Appendix A
Contact
Point : Paul Street, Assistant Chief Fire Officer. Tel No. 823196 (8196)
Email:
[email protected]
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MR PAUL STREET
Assistant Chief Fire Officer
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CLLR
BARRY ABRAHAM
Cabinet Member for Safer Communities
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