Lothian and Borders Fire Board. Haddington, 28 January 2005

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1 Haddington, ITEM NO 4 - Present: - City of Edinburgh Council - Councillors Harrold (Convener), Hunter, (substituting for Mclnnes), Fitzpatrick, Grubb, O'Donnell and Perry. East Lothian - Councillors Jarvie and O'Donnell (substituting for Councillor Costello). Scottish Borders Council - Councillors McCartney and Wight. West Lothian Council - Councillors Russell and Smith. I Minutes 1) To approve the minute of of 12 November 2004 as a correct record. 2) To note the minute of the Scrutiny Committee of 14 January ) To note the minute of the Local Joint Consultative Group (Firefighters, Staff, Manual Workers and Craft Operatives) of 14 January Revitalising Equality and Fairness The Local Joint Consultative Group had recommended approval of a three-year plan aimed at revitalising the Brigade's approach towards equality and fairness as part of the strategies for managing the change agenda. The plan, Leading from the Front, set out how the Brigade would initiate / revitalise the following five areas - leadership, challenging and changing the culture, community access, recruiting for the future and staff retention.

2 2 To approve the three-year plan, Leading from the Front. (Reference - report by the Joint Consultative Group 14 January 2005, submitted) 3 Control of Smoking at Work The Local Joint Consultative Group had recommended approval of a revised Control of Smoking at Work policy. The revised policy sought to reduce involuntary exposure of non-smokers to environmental tobacco smoke and comply with management's statutory health and safety responsibilities. To approve the revised Control of Smoking at Work policy. (Reference - report by the Local Joint Consultative Group 14 January 2005, submitted) 4 Fire InvestigationlNew Dimensions Technical Support: Establishment Proposal It was proposed to establish a fire investigationhew dimensions technical support unit at the Operational Centre at Newbridge. It was expected that the Unit would provide an effective response to incidents by producing a suitably equipped vehicle crewed with trained personnel to provide a level of expertise in fire investigation and new dimension technical support not currently available within the Brigade. In order to meet staffing requirements for the new unit it was proposed to reduce staffing within multi-pump stations by 12 firefighter posts. This would not affect front-line operational capacity. Additional costs estimated at E 13,000 would require to be met from within existing approved staffing budgets to provide for the rank configuration for the new unit. The Local Joint Consultative Group had recommended that the Board approve the proposals.

3 3 I) To approve the introduction of a fire investigationhew dimension technical support unit. 2) To agree the reduction of 12 firefighter posts from multi-pump stations to staff the unit. 3) To seek the Justice Minister's approval to modify the uniformed establishment. (Reference - report by the Local Joint Consultative Group 14 January 2005, submitted) 5 Review of Pension Arrangements for Firefighters The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had isssued two consultation documents on proposals for (i) a new Firefighters' Pension Scheme and (ii) amendments to the existing Firefighters' Pension Scheme. The Local Joint Consultative Group had previously considered the consultations and following representations from the Board, the original deadline for responses had been extended to allow the Board to discuss in full its response. The draft response had again been discussed with the Local Joint Consultative Group. It had been agreed to make amendments relating to ill health retirals and also to include that appropriate consultation and reporting processes should be in place for the consideration of extension of service beyond normal retirement age. The Local Joint Consultative Group had recommended that the Board approve the revised response. To approve the Board's response to the consultation on the review of Pension Arrangements for Firefighters as set out in the Appendix to the report by the Local Joint Consultative Group. (References - Fire Board 12 November 2004 (item 2); report by the Local Joint Consultative Group 14 January 2005, submitted)

4 4 6 Auditor's Report on the Final Accounts The Audit Report for the financial year was presented. The overall conclusion of the Auditor was that the financial stewardship of the Fire Board in was of a satisfactory standard. The Scrutiny Committee had referred the Audit Report to the Board for con side ra ti on To note the Audit Report for (References - Fire Board 12 November 2004 (item 6); Scrutiny Committee 14 January 2005 (item 2); report by the Treasurer, submitted) 7 Brigade Training Function - Service Review A Review of the Brigade Training Function had been carried out as part of the Best Value Service Review Programme. The aim of the review process was to deliver an improved service from within existing resources. The Scrutiny Committee had agreed the outcome of the Review and recommended its approval by the Board. To approve the Review of the Brigade Training Function. (References - report by the Scrutiny Committee 14 January 2005, submitted) 8 Modernising Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade - Making Safer Communities The Scrutiny Committee recommended approval of a report on Modernising Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade: Making Safer Communities, which detailed the range of work, which would require to be undertaken as part of the modernisation process of the Fire Service.

5 5 To approve the report on Modernising Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade: Making Safer Communities. (Reference - report by the Scrutiny Committee 14 January 2005, submitted) 9 Integrated Risk Management Planning - Making Safer Communities - Improving Services from Existing Resources - I m p rovem en t PI an The Board had previously approved a strategy for the adoption of an Integrated Risk Management (IRM) approach to the provision of emergency incident cover to drive down the risk to the public from fires and other emergencies, together with an Action Plan for the implementation of IRM in The Scrutiny Committee had considered the Improvement Plan for summarising progress made to date in meeting the objectives set out in the Action Plan and defining objectives for which focussed on community safety, operations, personnel and training. Further reports would be submitted on the re-definition of the Board's services and an examination of its resource distribution. The Scrutiny Committee recommended that the Board approve the Improvement Plan for To approve the Integrated Risk Management Improvement Plan for (Reference - report by the Scrutiny Committee 14 January 2005, submitted) 10 Integrated Risk Management Planning - Making Safer Communities - Understanding Our Risk The Board had previously approved a strategy for the adoption of an Integrated Risk Management (IRM) approach to the provision of emergency incident cover to drive down the risk to the public from fires and other emergencies. A significant feature of this approach was the Fire Service Emergency Cover (FSEC) toolkit provided by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The toolkit produced "risk maps" which could be used to target specific areas with preventative measures and resources.

6 6 The Scrutiny Committee had noted a report by the Firemaster detailing the work carried out to date using the toolkit and the key outputs in terms of planned IRM in the form of a set of risk maps and had referred it to the Board for information. To note the report. (Reference - report by the Scrutiny Committee 14 January 2005, submitted) 11 Operational Activity on and Around 5 November 2004 Details were provided of the scale and nature of operational activity associated on and around 5 November While firefighters' safety remained an issue, the number of dangerous bonfires had been reduced coupled with a substantial decrease in the number of attacks on firefighters. The appointment of dedicated Community Firefighters had increased the level of collaborative working with the Brigade's partner agencies and support to the operational personnel in the their delivery of community safety. In addition to existing programmes offering bonfire and firework safety to schools, the Brigade had embarked upon a number of innovative initiatives involving direct contact with young people. This would hopefully help to reduce the incidences of wilful fire-raising and attacks on fire crews. To note the report. (Reference - report by the Firemaster, January 2005, submitted) 12 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - Consultations The Scottish Executive had invited the Board to comment on the implementation of three provisions contained in the Fire (Scotland) Bill relating to advisory structure, additional functions and charging. Comments were sought by 8 March 2005.

7 7 To approve the response detailed in Appendix D to the report by the Firemaster as the Board's response to the Scottish Executive consultation on the Fire (Scotland) Bill. (Reference - report by the Firemaster I O January 2005, submitted) 13 Interschutzllnterpolice Conference and Exhi bition To authorise the attendance of the Convener and Vice-Conveners at the Interschutdlnterpolice Conference and Exhibition in Hannover from 6-1 I June (Reference - report by the Firemaster 10 January 2005, submitted) 14 Queen's Fire Service Medal Deputy Firemaster Stephen Torrie had been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service in the New Year Honours List. To congratulate the Deputy Firemaster on his award. (Reference - report by the Firemaster 10 January 2005, submitted) 15 Future Meeting Arrangements Details were provided of the proposed meetings schedule for the Board for the period June 2005 to June To approve the meetings schedule detailed in Appendix 1 to this minute. (Reference - report by the Chief Executive and Clerk 19 January 2005, submitted)

8 8 Appendix I (As referred to in item 15 of the minute of me ting of of ) Proposed Date Time Venue Friday 24 June 2005 ( U n au d i ted Accou n ts) Friday 23 September 2005 Friday 18 November 2005 Friday 27 January 2006 Friday 3 February 2006 (Revenue Budget) Friday 24 March 2006 Friday 19 May 2006 Friday 30 June 2006 (Unaudited Accounts) To be arranged Edinburgh am Midlothian I1.OO am West Lothian 11.OO am East Lothian To be arranged Ed in burgh I1.OO am Scottish Borders 11.OOam Midlothian To be arranged Ed in burgh Proposed Date Scrutiny Committee JCG Friday 9 September 2005 Friday 4 November 2005 Friday 13 January 2006 Friday 3 February 2006 (Revenue Budget) Friday 10 March 2006 Friday 5 May OO am am 11.OO am am approx am approx I.30 am approx To be arranged 11.OO am am approx 11.OOam am approx Note: Meetings of the JCG and the Scrutiny Committee are held in Edinburgh.