Agenda and minutes

Standing item.

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting.

Apologies were received from County Councillor David O’Toole and Councillor Zamir Khan.

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 Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) was pleased to introduce Fire Cadet H Salisbury to present to Members their presentation on the ‘Impact of Modern Technology’ which recently won first place at the North West Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) Junior Lecturette Final.

The presentation included information on the challenges of electric car fires, risks of e-bikes, e-scooters and Lithium-Ion batteries and the impact of social media.

Members applauded the presentation given. County Councillor Shedwick remarked that H was a credit to both the Fire Cadets and the Service as a whole.

Following a question from the Chair, H confirmed that they had chosen to research modern technology as it was ever-changing and research could continue into the future.

County Councillor Salter thanked H for their impressive presentation and for highlighting an emerging issue. He stated that Members and politicians could take away some of the points raised to get ahead of the emerging threats of which the Service was aware.

In response to a further question from the Chair, H confirmed that they had enjoyed their time with the Fire Cadets and work experience within the Fleet and Engineering Services Team.

Councillor Jackson asked that the statistics from the presentation be shared with Members. The Chair agreed that the presentation would be shared outside of the meeting.

On behalf of the Authority the Chair wished H every success in their future career and remarked that they were a credit to the Service.

County Councillor Usman Arif joined the meeting.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the CFA held on 24 June 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

County Councillor Frank De Molfetta provided an update that the ACFO had liaised with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) in relation to their sickness procedures and identified some learning points. The ACFO added that CFRS had lower grey book absence rates and had different policies in place than LFRS. The service was adjusting its policies to encompass some of the learning from CFRS by working with Area and Group Managers to ensure the timely application of policies and procedures.

Resolved: That the proceedings of the Performance Committee held on 26 June 2024 be noted and endorsed.

Resolved: That the proceedings of the Strategy Group Meeting held on 1 July 2024 be noted and endorsed.

Resolved: That the proceedings of the Resources Committee held on 3 July 2024 be noted and endorsed.

Resolved: That the proceedings of the Audit Committee held on 8 July 2024 be noted and endorsed.

Resolved: That the proceedings of the Planning Committee held on 15 July 2024 be noted and endorsed.

The Clerk to the Authority presented a report for Members to consider amendments to the Terms of Reference of all committees following a recommendation by external audit to include unambiguous guidance around the circumstances in which the respective Committees were quorate, and the arrangements for circumstances when the Committees were not quorate.

Additionally, further changes to the Resources Committee recruitment arrangements were deemed necessary to ensure that as many members as possible were potentially available to the Committee, to enable it to proceed with selecting recruitment panels, when making appointments to the Executive Board, save and except for the appointment of the Chief Fire Officer, the Clerk to the Authority and the Treasurer to the Authority, which were appointments reserved to the full Authority, by the Constitutional and Procedural Standing Orders.

In response to a question from County Councillor David Howarth, the Clerk to the Authority confirmed that a committee required 40% of it’s members to be in attendance in order to be quorate.

Resolved: - That the Authority approved the amendments to the Terms of Reference for all committees.

The Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) presented a report for members to consider. Under Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must prepare, and where necessary revise, a written statement of health and safety policy. The existing safety, health and environment policy document, which was last considered by the Authority in September 2021, had been recently reviewed, amended as required, and was now presented to Members for consideration.

As the health and safety and environment functions were managed in a similar way it was considered appropriate for the Authority to declare its intent for both health and safety and the environment in the same document. 

In response to a question from Councillor Jane Hugo, the DCFO confirmed that consultation had taken place with Unions and the policy would be updated to reflect this.

Councillor Hugo further requested that the possible negative impact of PPE relating to turbans be assessed nationally to ensure there was no discrimination. The DCFO confirmed that this would be fed back to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

Councillor Hugo asked for clarification of the policy continuing despite negative impacts. The Director of People and Development (DoPD) confirmed that this demonstrated the services scrutiny and that provided the service could objectively justify the need it could continue with policies that may have had a negative impact in some areas.

Resolved: - That the Authority endorsed the revised policy and supported the new Chief Fire Officer re-signing the commitment on appointment, or bringing back a revised policy should it be deemed necessary on their review.

The concept of Member Champions was introduced in December 2007.  A review of the areas of focus for Member Champions was considered at the Authority meeting held in June 2017 where new areas of responsibility were agreed.  The current Member Champions and their areas of responsibility were:

·         Community Safety – County Councillor Matthew Salter

·         Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Councillor Zamir Khan

·         Health and Wellbeing – County Councillor Hasina Khan

·         Road Safety – County Councillor Fred Jackson.

Reports relating to the activity of the Member Champions were provided on a regular basis to the Authority. This report related to activity for the period up to 15 September 2024. During this period all had undertaken their respective role in accordance with the defined terms of reference.

Councillor Dave Smith remarked that he was pleased to see signs promoting ‘no mow May’.

Member Champions went through the detail of their reports and expressed thanks to the officers who supported them in their roles. 

County Councillor Matthew Salter referred to the whole range of activities being undertaken currently within crime prevention and thanked all those who had taken part in the initiatives.

Councillor Fred Jackson expressed his thanks to the previous Road Safety Member Champion County Councillor Ron Woollam. He requested that he be kept informed of any upcoming events relating to Road Safety.

Resolved: That the Authority noted and endorsed the report and acknowledged the work of the respective Champions.

The report summarised Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service prosecutions pertaining to fire safety offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005. One case had been concluded, and the landlord, pleaded guilty to two breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, at Bond Street, Blackpool. On Monday 1 July 2024, sentencing had taken place at Preston Crown Court, where the landlord was sentenced to the following:

·         Five months to be served concurrently, suspended for eighteen months.

·         Twenty days rehabilitation.

·         Three hundred hours unpaid work (community service).

·         Two fines with a combined total of £7,500 for failure to comply with the above articles of the Fire Safety Order.

·         Ordered to pay £23,120 in costs to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. 

Four cases sat within the court system, two cases were due to appear at Magistrates Courts on the 20 August 2024. One of these cases was postponed to the 15 October 2024 with the other elevated to Crown Court for the 17 September 2024. Two further cases would appear at Crown Court in September 2024 and July 2025.

Members noted that 1,266 Business Fire Safety Checks (BFSCs) had been undertaken during the 2024/25 year to date, with 172 deemed unsatisfactory and triaged by protection teams with both informal and formal enforcement taken. A total of 924 BFSCs had been undertaken in quarter 1, with 133 deemed unsatisfactory.

Members also noted there had been no arson convictions during the quarter. However, there were 15 live cases ongoing through the Criminal Justice System.

In response to a question from County Councillor Clifford in relation to a case that was being built against a nightclub, Area Manager Matt Hamer confirmed that LFRS worked in partnership with other agencies including the Police, Councils and Licensing to ensure a robust response from all partners.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The report provided Members with information relating to operational incidents of note over the period 1 June 2024 – 31 August 2024. As the operational period had been very busy, the report detailed only the larger deployments or more complex incidents. As a result, some incidents that Members had been made aware of locally, may not have formed part of the report. Full details of the following incidents were provided in the report:

• Commercial building fire in Blackpool (7/6/2024)
• Explosives incident in Preston (18/6/2024)
• Domestic fire in Morecambe (26/6/2024)
• Major entrapment in Burnley (3/7/2024)
• Water rescue in Preesall (3/7/2024)
• Person rescued from a car in water in Thornton Cleveleys (13/7/2024)
• Domestic fire in Blackpool (17/7/2024)
• Waste fire in Preston (28/7/2024)
• Commercial building fire in Salmesbury (31/7/2024)
• Commercial building fire in Burnley (31/7/2024)

Resolved: That the Authority noted and endorsed the report.

County Councillor John Shedwick remarked that there were a wide range of serious incidents included within the report which required a large response.

In response to a question from County Councillor Ron Woolam in relation to the explosive incident in Preston, the ACFO explained that it is not uncommon for previous World War 2 hand grenades to be uncovered and as such the services response was well rehearsed.

County Councillor Frank De Molfetta congratulated the service on its ability to respond to a diverse range of incidents and assist partner agencies.

County Councillor Matthew Salter remarked that there were a number of serious incidents and incidents within his home division. He expressed his thanks to all officers involved.

Group Managers (GMs) Chris West and Kirsty McCreesh gave a presentation to members on the building fire at Warbeck House, Blackpool.

GM’s West and McCreesh explained that Warbreck House was a former Department for Working Pensions building that had been vacant for some time. Access had become easier for local residents and security put in place by the site owners was insufficient and only covered 8am to 4pm, this led to increased Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). The initial call was received at 23:32 hrs on 7 June 2024 and there was initial attendance of 4 pumps, a Hose Layer and a Water Bowser which was increased to 10 pumps, 2 Ariel Ladder Platforms (ALP’s), a Hose Layer, a High Volume Pump (HVP), Command Unit, Command Support Unit, 2 Stingers and a Water Bowser.

The priorities were establishing if any persons were present, establishing adequate water supplies, extinguishing the fire and preventing fire spread, identifying any hazards to maintain firefighter safety, protecting the environment and considering the requirement for fire investigation.

There was a multiagency response from Lancashire Constabulary, North West Ambulance Service, Blackpool Council, Cadent Gas, Electricity North West and United Utilities. Members were shown pictures and a video which showed the extent of the fire.

GM West explained that this was a protracted incident with LFRS working alongside partners for 10 days to determine the involvement of persons, continue to monitor for hot spots to prevent reignition and complete the fire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39/24

Standing item.

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

Resolved: That the current position be noted.

Executive Board updates

The Chair announced the Director of People and Development (DoPD); Bob Warren’s retirement after 22 years’ service. On behalf of the Fire Authority the Chair thanked him for his leadership and service including his national work with the Local Government Association (LGA) and pensions work and wished him a happy retirement.

The DoPD remarked that he had thoroughly enjoyed his 22 years with the service.

County Councillor John Shedwick echoed the chairs comments and commended the DoPD on his work with North-West Fire Control.

County Councillor Frank De Molfetta echoed previous comments and added that the DoPD has always been fair and done the best for the whole workforce.

The Chair presented the DoPD with an award on behalf of the Fire Authority.

The Chair welcomed the new DoPD, Liz Sandiford who was previously Assistant Director of Human Resources. On behalf of the Fire Authority the Chair congratulated her on her new role.

The Chair announced that the Chief Fire Officer (CFO); Justin Johnston was due to retire in the new year after 30 years service with the last 5 years spent leading the service. On behalf of the Fire Authority the Chair congratulated the CFO on his distinguished career and thanked him for his leadership and service, remarking that he had led the service through the Coronavirus pandemic and various other challenges.

County Councillor John Shedwick added that the CFO had guided the service through a difficult period and made the service an exemplar on a national stage through the HMICFRS inspection results. He expressed his thanks from the Conservative Group.

County Councillor Frank De Molfetta echoed these comments and added that the CFO had been an ambassador throughout the country.

The CFO thanked members for their support and remarked that he had enjoyed his service.

The Chair presented the CFO with an award on behalf of the Fire Authority.

The Chair announced that ACFO Jon Charters had been appointed as the services next CFO following a selection process and will commence in role in January. On behalf of the Fire Authority the Chair congratulated the ACFO on his new role.

The Chair also congratulated Stephanie Collison on her promotion to Assistant Director of Communications and Engagement.

The next meeting of the Authority will be held on Monday 16 December 2024 at 1030 hours at Washington Hall Training Centre, Euxton.

The next meeting of the Authority would be held on Monday 16 December 2024 at 10:30am at the Training Centre, Euxton.

The Authority is asked to consider whether, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, they consider that the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, indicated under the heading to the item.

Resolved: That the press and members of the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, indicated under the heading to the item.

Verbal update.

(Paragraph 1)

The Clerk to the Authority provided a governance update to authority members.

Resolved: That the current position be noted.

Verbal update.

(Paragraphs 1 and 2)

The Clerk to the Authority withdrew from the meeting for this item.

Resolved: That the Authority approved the re-appointment of Mr Mark Nolan as Clerk and Monitoring Officer to the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority for a period of twelve months, to the September meeting of the Authority in 2025.