SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1. The purpose of this paper is to inform Members of the
outcome of the strategic Scoping Review requirement by the ODPM in relation to
closer working arrangements with Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service. .
RULE 15
2. This report has not appeared in the
forward plan as the timetable for undertaking this piece of work (which is set
by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) has been bought forward during the
course of the review being undertaken.
BACKGROUND
3.
In commencing
Government engagement post CPA, meetings have taken place with the ODPM Support
Team and the ‘taking stock’ phase has
now been concluded at Fire Service level
The main purpose of this phase of support, is to arrive at an initial
view of whether the Authority is capable of managing its own recovery and to
advise ODPM accordingly.
4.
Prior to
publication of the findings of the ‘taking
stock’ phase, it was felt by ODPM that an explanation for the expectations
from the IWFRS improvement planning process was important and to this end a
visit to the Authority by the Head of the Fire Modernisation Team took place.
5.
The visit
focused on the capacity issue, and it was felt that importance should be placed
on addressing a full range of options in terms of collaboration with another
Fire and Rescue Service.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
6. The speed of approach and deadline set
for this Scoping Review was a requirement of the ODPM, with all cost and
arrangements being met by the Isle of Wight Fire Authority
7. 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 was undertaken at strategic level
covering 4 options to be completed by the end of September 2005. Appendix A to be circulated and published
after the 4th October 2005 will be the scoping review in the form of
the report of Robson Rhodes. This study
has provided sufficient information, including a critical path, to enable 4 options
to be put forward reflecting what both this Authority and Hampshire Authority
may wish to achieve.
8. To ensure and realise a credible
outcome from the report, the processes and modeling of the Scope used a ‘gate way 0’ approach, adopting a principle
to revise a strategic assessment and provide assurance of a shared
understanding of what could be achieved by both stakeholders with the
requirement that it fits with what both Fire Authorities needs may be. Ultimately the ‘gate way 0’ strategic approach aimed to test whether stakeholders
needs are realistic by reference to cost, outcomes, resource needs, legality of
arrangements and governance arrangements.
9.
The 4 options
that were chosen to be looked at by the Consultants were:
Option
1 – retain the status quo
Option
2 – work collaboratively on a number of ad-hoc areas
Option
3 – formal collaboration on any major areas of the Service (high level service
agreement)
Option
4 – full combination or merger
10. The
consultants report will not be received until 4 October at the earliest and
will be published on receipt and circulated to Cabinet Members and other
Stakeholders.
11.
Following a
decision by Members’ on any of the options the report will be sent to the ODPM.
We then hope to move towards a ‘Round Table’ to sign off the ‘taking stock’ process and the
Improvement Plan to take the Fire and Rescue Service through
modernisation. This timetable would fit
in with the Authorities wider business planning process.
CONSULTATION
12. The Scoping Review document was
constructed by the Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Isle of Wight Fire &
Rescue Service in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer of Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service. Other consultations that took place were
with Mollie Bickerstaff from the Service Improvement Team for the ODPM, the
Head of Legal Democratic Services and the Chief Financial Officer of the Isle
of Wight Council before submitting it to the Consultants for approval to
commence the Scoping Review.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET
IMPLICATIONS
13. Any budget implications following the outcome of this Review
is not known at this time as they are subject to Members’ choosing an option
and a production of any Business Case where investment appraisal, cost, timescale
and benefits realisation will produce full implications of costs for the Fire
Service.
LEGAL
IMPLICATIONS
14.
The options appraisal raises no legal issues.
OPTIONS
15. Members’ are asked to consider the 4 options
outlined in this paper in the light of Appendix A – Robson Rhodes Report
EVALUATION/RISK
MANAGEMENT
16. Risks that may affect the Fire Service
will become apparent from any option chosen from the Scoping Review by Members’
will need to be assessed, analysed and scored appropriately with sufficient
controls in a robust way.
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17.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That
the Cabinet determine, in the light of the consultants report,
(1) the
preferred option for future delivery of the Fire and Rescue Service
(2) future
steps to pursue one or more options to full business case.
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ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
18. Appendix
A – Robson Rhodes Report - To be circulated and published on receipt
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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