Agenda item

The report summarised Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service prosecutions pertaining to fire safety offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005.  One case was currently within the court system with the trial provisionally set for 16 October 2023.  Protection teams continued to investigate and build files in relation to further cases where offences were believed to have been committed, which involved a number of types of premises as outlined in the report. Of those cases one had been served a summons with the first hearing scheduled for 20 September 2023.  Two of the other cases had draft summonses drawn and four were currently under review by legal counsel. There was also one further case currently being investigated which might see a joint prosecution with the Health and Safety Executive.

Given the rapidly evolving regulatory change in building fire safety, an update on Fire Protection and Business Support was also provided, detailing how the Service was adapting delivery whilst developing its workforce, to ensure that it kept pace with the changes and improved public and firefighter safety within the built environment.

Members noted that, as at the end of July 2023, circa 3,685 Business Fire Safety Checks had been undertaken across Lancashire, with 619 identifying significant fire safety concerns resulting in follow up action by Protection teams.  The delivery of this valuable risk reduction work was well established across fire stations and continued to receive system refinements. 

From 1October 2023 the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, would be amended by the introduction of Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 which required all responsible persons to record their fire risk assessment in full (including all findings) along with the fire safety arrangements for premises, in all circumstances.  This was a significant change for responsible persons, as the Fire Safety Order currently only required a written fire risk assessment if the business had five or more employees or required a license. The new legislation would also introduce several additional duties on the responsible person, regarding information they must record and provide along with increasing the level of fines for some offences. 

To better prepare responsible persons for these changes, LFRS continued to undertake engagement activities, which included: i) the production of a letter outlining all relevant changes.  This was being distributed as part of the protection department’s day?to?day interactions with businesses and premises; ii) digital media and digital copies of the letter were being shared via partners; and iii) a campaign highlighting the changes was being conducted through LFRS’ social media channels and the website.

LFRS would also be supporting Business Safety Week (11 to 17September) where specific activities, engagement and media would raise awareness and support businesses and responsible persons to prepare for change and keep fire safety a priority.

Members also noted that following a trial for ‘arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered’ the defendant was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison plus two further years on licence.

Resolved: That the report be noted.