Agenda and minutes

The Authority is requested to consider the appointment of a Chairman for 2017/18.

The Clerk invited nominations for the appointment of Chairman and County Councillor De Molfetta was nominated for 2017/18.  A second nomination was received for County Councillor O’Toole.

Taking the second nomination for County Councillor O’Toole first, the Clerk held a recorded vote and the name of Members who voted for or against the Motion, and those who abstained, are set out below: -

For (9)

Against (13)

No Members abstained.

The motion was therefore LOST.

Taking the original nomination for County Councillor De Molfetta, the Clerk held a recorded vote and the names of Members who voted for or against the Motion, and those who abstained, are set out below: -

For (12)

Against (10)

No Members abstained.

The motion was therefore CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED: - That County Councillor De Molfetta be appointed Chairman of the Combined Fire Authority for 2017/18.

On taking the Chair, County Councillor De Molfetta thanked past and continuing Members for their considerable contributions to the work of the Authority.

The Authority is similarly requested to consider the appointment of a Vice-Chairman for 2017/18.

The Chairman invited nominations for the appointment of Vice-Chairman and County Councillor Parkinson was nominated for 2017/18.  A second nomination was received for County Councillor Shedwick.

Taking the second nomination for County Councillor Shedwick first, the Clerk held a recorded vote and the name of Members who voted for or against the Motion, and those who abstained, are set out below: -

For (9)

Against (13)

No Members abstained.

The motion was therefore LOST.

Taking the original nomination for County Councillor Parkinson, the Clerk held a recorded vote and the names of Members who voted for or against the Motion, and those who abstained, are set out below: -

For (12)

Against (10)

No Members abstained.

The motion was therefore CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED: - That County Councillor Parkinson be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Combined Fire Authority for 2017/18.

(Standing Item)

The Chairman welcomed all Members to the meeting and introductions were made.

The Chairman advised that as a mark of respect for the bereaved, the survivors and all those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in London there would be a minute’s silence held at 11:00am.

RESOLVED: - That the Composition approved by the 3 Constituent Authorities for 2017/18 for the Combined Fire Authority be noted and endorsed, and the 11 new Members appointed to serve on the Authority for 2017/18 (namely, County Councillors: Beavers, Brown, Clarke, Eaton, Hennessy, Howarth, Kay, Martin, Tomlinson and Wilkins, appointed by Lancashire County Council and Councillor Coleman appointed by Blackpool Council) be welcomed.

Apologies were received from County Councillor David Howarth and Councillor Tony Williams.

Members are asked to consider any pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

None received.

The Chairman, County Councillor De Molfetta presented the proposed Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for the Authority's Committees.  He also confirmed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Strategy Group were the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Authority.

RESOLVED: - 

(1) That in accordance with Standing Order 5.1(b) of the Authority, the following members be appointed as Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees of the CFA for 2017/18.

(i)  Appeals                - County Councillor L Beavers (Chairman) (LAB)

                                    - County Councillor G Wilkins (Vice-Chairman) (CON)

(ii)  Audit                     - County Councillor M Tomlinson (Chairman) (LAB)

                                    - County Councillor J Shedwick (Vice-Chairman) (CON)

(iii)  Performance      - County Councillor S Holgate (Chairman) (LAB)

                                    - Councillor M Khan (Vice-Chairman) (LAB)

(iv)  Planning              - County Councillor M Parkinson (Chairman) (LAB)

                                    - Councillor F Jackson (Vice-Chairman) (LAB)       

(v)  Resources           - County Councillor F De Molfetta (Chairman) (LAB)

                                    - County Councillor N Hennessy (Vice-Chairman) (LAB)

(2)  That Councillor D Smith be appointed as Chairman and County Councillor I Brown be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Member Training and Development Working Group for 2017/18.

(3) That County Councillor D O'Toole be appointed as Chairman of the Injury Pensions Sub-Committee for 2017/18.

The concept of Member Champions was introduced in December 2007.  Since then the areas of focus for Member Champions had not been reviewed.  This paper looked at the terminology and the areas in which Member Champions could add maximum value to the Service and offers some opportunities for improvement.

Following consideration the Authority approved the following revised areas of:

Community Safety;

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion;

Health and Wellbeing; and

Road Safety.

CC O’Toole requested that the Champion for Community Safety consider the universal provision of free smoke alarms.

The Chairman, County Councillor De Molfetta presented the proposed Champions and it was:

RESOLVED: - That the following Members be appointed as Champions for 2017/18:

(i)            Community Safety - County Councillor Mark Perks;

(ii)          Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Councillor Zamir Khan;

(iii)         Health and Wellbeing – County Councillor Tony Martin;

(iv)         Road Safety – Councillor Fred Jackson.

The Authority is requested to determine its representation on outside bodies for the 2017/18 municipal year.

RESOLVED:- 

i)       That the County Councillor F De Molfetta, Chairman of the Authority is authorised to cast the Authority’s vote at the LGA Annual General Assembly;

ii)     That County Councillors F De Molfetta and M Parkinson (as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Authority) be appointed to the Local Government Association Fire Commission;

iii)    That County Councillor De Molfetta, Chairman of the Authority can authorise additional representation(s) to either the LGA Fire Commission or the Fire Services Management Committee as appropriate;

iv)    That 2 members of the Labour Group and 1 member of the Conservative Group (County Councillors F De Molfetta, M Parkinson and D O’Toole, as Chairman, Vice-Chairman and main Opposition Spokesperson) be appointed to serve as representatives on the North West Fire Forum for 2017/18.

v)      That County Councillors F De Molfetta and M Parkinson (as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Authority) be appointed as North West Fire Control Directors for 2017/18.

CC Wilkins queried whether resolution 97/16 referred to no complaints received or no complaints processed.  In response, the Clerk confirmed that no complaints had been received.

RESOLVED: - That the Minutes of the CFA held 24 April 2017 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED: -   That a report on a proposed programme of meetings for the Combined Fire Authority for 2017/18 and 2018/19 be noted and the Authority agree the programme of meetings below: - 

2017/18

18 September 2017

18 December 2017 (1st Budget Meeting)

19 February 2018 (2nd Budget Meeting)

2018/19

23 April 2018

18 June 2018 (Annual Meeting of the CFA)

17 September 2018

17 December 2018 (1st Budget Meeting)

18 February 2019 (2nd Budget Meeting)

Chapter 7 of Part 1 of the Localism Act 2011 made provision in relation to standards matters.  The Authority has a duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Members and co-opted Members which includes the appointment of one or more Independent Persons.

At its meeting held 22 June 2015 Mrs Hilary Banks was re-appointed to the role of Independent Person for a further term of 2 years, continuing in that role until June 2017 with the option for Mrs Banks to continue to hold office after that date if the Authority so wished and she was prepared to do so (resolution 08/15 refers).  The Authority was asked to consider formally extending the period of office for a further period of 2 years.

RESOLVED: -   That the Authority re-appoints Mrs Hilary Banks as the Authority’s Independent Person as required by the Localism Act for further a period of 2 years thereby continuing in that role until the CFA AGM in June 2019 with an option to continue to hold office after that date if the Authority so wished and Mrs Banks was so prepared.

The Chairman of the Member Training and Development Working Group, Councillor Smith presented the proceedings of the Member Training & Development Working Group meeting held on 26 April 2017.

CC O’Toole asked that the Group consider better use of IT systems particularly the mode of claiming expenses.  Cllr Smith confirmed that better use of IT was happening slowly and that there was an item on the Strategy Group agenda for discussion the following week.

RESOLVED: - That the proceedings of the Member Training & Development Working Group held on 26 April 2017 be noted and endorsed.

The Authority considered the year end performance information which was set against Service Key Performance Indicators.  In addition, Members were updated on the road safety initiatives carried out over the last 12 months across the County.  It was noted that performance management information was normally considered by the Performance Committee, however in light of the changes to the Authority following County Council Elections it had been agreed to present the year end performance for information to the full Authority.  The summary of the full year’s performance within Lancashire was highlighted in Appendix 1, Measuring Progress report, as now presented. 

CC Britcliffe asked for clarification that his understanding of why the Performance Committee meeting was cancelled was because of the General Election and not because of the County Council elections.  As a Member of the Performance Committee he would have attended the meeting given he had been re-appointed and re-selected as an Authority Member.   CC Holgate as Chairman of the Performance Committee confirmed he had determined that the meeting be cancelled in case of poor attendance due to the General Elections and on the understanding that there was a discussion at this meeting.  CC Britcliffe asked for clarification from the Clerk that he was considered to be a Member of this Authority on 8 June 2017.  The Clerk agreed to clarify this separately outside the meeting.

The Assistant Chief Fire Officer explained that Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service had achieved its best ever performance results and asked that his gratitude for the efforts of all staff within the Service be placed on record.

He highlighted that: -

·        There had been a 10% reduction in accidental fires in people’s homes over the previous year, equating to almost 100 fewer fires, and a 24% reduction than there was 5 years ago;

·        The number of people killed within dwelling fires had fallen by half of that recorded 5 years ago, and these were at their lowest since 2005/06;

·        Fire within buildings (other than dwellings) were at an all-time low and had reduced by 25% over the last 5 years;

·        Similarly, deliberate secondary fires, which were fires related to anti-social behaviour, were at a 10 year low, and had reduced by 72% over that time.

·        Accidents to staff continue to decrease with 2016/17 recording one of the lowest counts over the last 10 years.

In response to a question raised by CC Hennessy in relation to Exception Report 2.1.1, ‘Critical Fire Response – 1^st Fire Engine Attendance’ the Assistant Chief Fire Officer confirmed that this indicator had been in exception all year and that there was a link between the call handling time and the time of response.  The actions taken to improve performance included that the Heads of Service Delivery monitored firefighter performance and at the last meeting of the Committee the Head of North West Fire Control (NWFC) had attended to answer Member questions.  Assurances were given that NWFC data was not directly comparable with the Service’s data, new systems had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14/17

The Authority considered the Safety, Health and Environment Annual Review Report for Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service covering the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.

As the body with ultimate responsibility for staff health, safety and environmental compliance it was important that all CFA Members were aware of performance in this respect. The report therefore provided a summary of key actions, overall progress and outturn performance in respect of accidents and near misses and carbon emissions, together with a look forward.

The report summarised the arrangements in place to deliver the Service's Health and Safety Policy and provided a summary of health, safety and environment performance data.  It included the reporting on occupational safety, health and environmental issues that had arisen during the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.

The Director of People and Development was pleased to report that the Service had again seen a very positive year in terms of overall safety, health and environment performance.  The number of accidents to LFRS staff was the second lowest on record with 58 events being reported of which only 25 resulted in lost time accidents.  The Health and Safety Executive was notified under RIDDOR regarding 16 events, 1 major specified injury, 14 for over 7 day absences following accidents and 1 for a dangerous occurrence for a breathing apparatus set failure.  The Service continued to deliver projects to manage health and wellbeing, learn from accidents and provide operational assurance, reduce its carbon emissions, review National Operational Guidance, research and develop equipment and firefighting techniques to ensure firefighter safety etc.  The health and safety and environment management systems would continue to be developed and this was supported by external reviews that advocated robust policies, systems and a positive culture were in place within the Service.

RESOLVED: - That the Authority note and endorse the report and associated safety, health and environment performance outcomes.

At its meeting held 20 June 2016 the Authority adopted a formal Policy on Dealing with Habitual and Vexatious Complaints (resolution 13/16 refers) which was fair and proportionate, yet which did not prevent genuine complaints from being properly investigated and fair and equitable outcomes promulgated. 

The Policy on Dealing with Habitual and Vexatious Complaints identified situations where a complainant, either individually or as part of a group, or a group of complainants might be considered to be habitual or vexatious.  It set out the definitions of habitual or vexatious complainants and the process that the Authority followed.

The Clerk reported that during the previous 12 months there had been 2 complainants who were judged to be unreasonably persistent or vexatious (including one complainant, who along with others had taken part in a joint course of action, as part of a joint enterprise).  Those individuals had given cause for concern within the last 12 months as a result of action taken on their part which unequivocally demonstrated that they remained vexatious and habitual complainants and they would be informed in writing of their continuing status, in open correspondence from the Clerk.

The Clerk had reviewed the Policy to ensure that it remained appropriate, proportionate and effective to the needs of Members, Officers and staff.

In response to a request by CC O’Toole for particular emphasis to be put on the provision of support to Members, the Clerk confirmed that full support would be provided by him and the Executive Board members, given the distressing nature of some of these complaints which could involve inaccurate or misleading issues of integrity for Members.

RESOLVED: - That the report be noted and endorsed.

A report detailing prosecutions in respect of fire safety management failures and arson related incidents within the period 1 April 2017 to 31 May 2017 was provided. 

In addition, Fire Protection and Business Support Information was included in the report which included an update on the Primary Authority Scheme, Business Safety Advisors activity, details of public events and the publication of Arson Risk Reduction Guidance for use by all Fire and Rescue Services.

RESOLVED: - that the Authority noted the report.

This report included information for the 2 Unitary and 12 District Authorities relating to Community Fire Safety Initiatives and Fires and Incidents of particular interest.

As part of this report Jane Williams, Prevention Support Manager gave a presentation to Members on what the Service was doing to support people living in Lancashire with dementia.  This included:

·        Dementia prompt stickers (examples provided);

·        Dementia buddies (example provided);

·        Dementia Action Alliances;

·        Dementia Friends; and,

·        Dementia Cafes and Events.

In response to Members’ questions, the Prevention Support Manager gave reassurance that the activities were sustainable in light of increasing demands.  The aim was for all Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service staff to become Dementia Friends and staff were enthusiastic.  She confirmed that the prompt stickers had been produced with the involvement of a focus group and checked by the Alzheimer’s Society and they were now being used by other Fire and Rescue Services.

Members then considered the report.

In relation to the report for Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Smith queried the Service’s approach to high risks fires at waste recycling units.  The Assistant Chief Fire Officer advised there had been a spate of these fires in Lancashire and the Service worked closely with partners such as the Environmental Agency.  When aware of the existence of a site, a site-specific risk assessment would be undertaken to consider how the Service would respond. 

CC Shedwick was very encouraged to see the involvement of the Women’s Institute at the Dementia Open Day held in the Wyre area and he was pleased to see Preesall Fire Cadets had supported the community through helping to decorate the Fire Station.

RESOLVED: - That the report be noted.

Oral report.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that there had been no complaints since the last meeting.

RESOLVED: - That the current position be noted.

The next meeting of the Authority will be held on Monday 18 September 2017 at 1000 hours at Washington Hall Training Centre, Euxton.

The next meeting of the Authority would be held on Monday 18^th September 2017 at 1000 hours at the Training Centre, Euxton.

An item of business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Clerk should be given advance warning of any Member’s intention to raise a matter under this heading.

The Chief Fire Officer introduced Group Manager Tony Crook to inform Members on the Grenfell Tower Fire investigation process and the actions being undertaken to reassure the public in Lancashire.

GM Crook advised that NWFC was a buddy control for London and they had handled 18 direct calls.  The incident was already subject to critical investigation and the Government had ordered a Public Inquiry.  The Police were treating the investigation as a potential crime and the fire investigation would seek to find answers on how the fire was started, whether the construction and design of the building contributed, if the alerting and evacuation systems and policies were adequate and whether the fire risk management requirements were being met.

The stay put policy was an accepted standard for high rise premises intended to keep people safely compartmentalised for up to 2 hours while firefighters extinguished the fire.  If all residents evacuated at once, the resulting congestion on the staircases in the building would dangerously hinder escape and would compromise access for firefighters. 

The Local Housing Authority Act 2004 provided for Local Authorities to be responsible for housing conditions and standards with the Fire and Rescue Service only able to comment on the communal parts of the premises through the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Across Lancashire there were 73 High Rise premises (residential and non-residential) listed as high rise (6 floors and above).  Sixty-nine of those were residential, either students’ halls of residence or occupied by the general public. All have had a fire safety audit between 2010 and 2017. 

The 69 were located as follows:-

·        7 in our Eastern/Pennine Area (1 students’ hall of residence)

·        18 in our Central/Southern Area (3 halls of residence)

·        12 in our Western Area (none of them halls of residence)

·        31 in our Northern Area (13 of them halls of residence)

In Lancashire there were 3 Local Authority owned high-rise premises all of which had been re-inspected the previous week.

Since 1 January 2017 there had been 18 primary fires in dwellings of 5 storeys or above.  All fire spread had remained within the room of origin.  The total number of casualties was 2 at one fire.

Fire crews were last trained in operational procedures in May 2017 as part of a scheduled 2-year frequency.  Training was updated to incorporate lessons learnt from recent high rise fires of Harrow Court and Lakanal House. 

Investment had been made in telemetry and facilities to prevent entanglement as a direct result of learning from previous national incidents in high rise premises.

Firefighters and community fire safety staff were out and about in all areas, reassuring the public, providing face-to-face guidance on key messages in respect of fire plans, the use of lifts, evacuation, smoke alarms and dialling 999.

Additionally, the Service had begun an immediate review of the high rise accommodation fire safety provision in Lancashire, regardless of how recently they were last audited.

In addition, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer would be arranging a Lancashire Resilience  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21/17