Agenda item

The Assistant Chief Fire Officer presented the report.

At the Planning Committee meeting of the Combined Fire Authority on 12 July 2021, Members endorsed the publication of the draft Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2022 - 27 for consultation over a ten-week period from 14 July 2021 to 21 September 2021.

The consultation plan was created in line with the Service’s consultation strategy and following an equality impact assessment of the impact of the draft CRMP on groups likely to be affected. The aim was to consult local communities and stakeholders about the risks in Lancashire to inform how the Service mitigated and responded to them and provide opportunities for stakeholders. Matters consulted on included: whether the plan identified the greatest risks to the communities and people of Lancashire; identified any unmet need; measures in place to mitigate and respond to risk; and the plan’s overarching aim and priorities.

During the consultation period, the draft documents were made available on the Service’s website together with an online survey. Printed copies were made available on request. Identified stakeholders included Service employees; local authorities; emergency services and other public agencies; town and parish councils; third sector partners such as voluntary groups and charities; businesses; representative bodies; landowners; community groups; and members of the public. Communications activity was tailored to target audiences and ranged from writing directly to partner organisations and staff engagement sessions to digital advertising and email marketing. Feedback was accepted via the online survey, by email and in comments on social media platforms.

Overall, the consultation feedback endorsed the draft CRMP, the Service’s priorities and approach to community risks in Lancashire. Full details of the consultation feedback, process requirements and resulting amendments (which had been included in the proposed final version of the CRMP and attached as appendix 2) were now considered by Members.

Members were impressed with the format of the report and the draft CRMP.  The Committee Chairman found the report fascinating and pertinent against the background of the recent global climate change discussions where, as Lancashire became hotter and wetter it was likely there would be more flooding, wildfire and water related incidents.

As part of the final recommendations to the full Combined Fire Authority meeting scheduled for 21 February 2022, Members agreed to include a data and digital strategy, which was currently being drafted.

RESOLVED: - That the Committee:

i)       Endorsed the consultation process surrounding the draft Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2022 - 27 as adequate in scale and scope; and

ii)      Referred final recommendations to the full Combined Fire Authority meeting of 21 February 2022 for approval to publish.