Agenda item

The Clerk presented the report to members.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) was undertaking a review of internal and external governance to ensure oversight and scrutiny arrangements remained effective and efficient at keeping the public safe from fire and other risks. This would involve codifying and updating existing authority procedures as set out in its constitution, scheme of delegation and standing orders. At the same time, arrangements would be reviewed against best practice, such as the Local Government Association’s Improvement and Assurance Framework, and external assurance would be sought.

There were several drivers for the review including the introduction by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) of a new assessment of how each fire and rescue service was affected by its authority’s governance. Policy and legislation changes were also planned such as the government’s plans for strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England.

The authority was asked to establish a member working group to work with officers to conduct this review ahead of any changes being brought to the authority for approval. As the working group would not have any decision-making powers, there was no requirement for there to be political balance.

The Clerk requested that nominations for members to join the working group be submitted to Democratic Services by Monday 19 January 2026 with membership to be confirmed the following week.

Councillor J Hugo suggested that if possible there should be a member included in the working group from each constituent authority. The Clerk agreed that this would be beneficial.

County Councillor M Clifford emphasised that governance would be a focus of the next HMICFRS inspection. He stated that he would be putting his name forward for the working group and suggested that where possible, meetings of the working group could be held after a committee meeting to assist with diary management.

The Chair explained that discussions were ongoing to repurpose Audit Committee into an Audit, Governance and Standards Committee. As the Chair of Audit Committee County Councillor M Clifford agreed with this approach and stated that the committee should encompass all aspects. The Clerk confirmed that a paper should be being brought to the February CFA meeting to request this change to Audit Committee.

Councillor J Hugo left the meeting at 11:25.

The CFO explained that it was proposed that the Governance Working Group meet monthly which would mean there may be some opportunities to hold the Working Group meeting after a committee meeting. He also explained that the Working Group would report directly into Audit Committee.

In response to a question from Councillor D Smith in relation to any future implementation of a mayoral model, the Clerk advised that should the Fire Authority fall under a Mayor in the future, they would still need a blueprint of governance for the authority. The CFO added that although the future was uncertain the service was reviewing constitutions from other services within a mayoral/ Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) governance system to future proof the new constitution.

County Councillor M Ritson commented that the potential for the authority to fall under a Mayoral model would impact on other projects going forward and as such should be noted as a risk within larger longer term projects.

Resolved: - That the Authority approved the establishment of a Constitution Working Group to ensure member engagement in the review and updating of governance procedures and documents.