Issue - meetings

The Panel was asked to consider and comment on the report from the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) providing a summary of the initial findings from the West Mercia Fire and Rescue Governance Consultation which had finished on 11 September 2017.

At its last meeting, the Panel considered the PCC's draft initial business case for the joint governance of Police and Fire and Rescue services in Hereford and Worcester and Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

Following the initial comments made by the Panel, the PCC was invited to return to Panel with final proposals prior to the submission to the Secretary of State on 1 October 2017; which had been extended to 9 October 2017.

A Report from the Chief Executive on behalf of the PCC was provided to the Panel outlining an initial analysis of the Consultation results.  The Panel was advised that the Report didn’t include the PCC’s formal response to the Consultation, which would be published in due course. 

The Chairman invited the Chairman of Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority and Vice-Chairman Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority and the Officer from the Police Strategy and Reform Unit, Home Office to address the Panel.

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority (Councillor Eric Carter)

Councillor Carter suggested that as result of various recent discussions, he thought it was important to look for agreement on a local basis for collaborative working as suggested by the Fire Minister.  He urged the PCC to take into consideration the views of the constituent authorities, none of which were in favour of the proposal for a Police, Crime and Fire Commissioner and take into account that they represented a large number of people.  He also circulated a newspaper article from the Shropshire Star, which had run an online poll to ask if readers agreed with the PCC running the fire service. 22% said yes and 78% said no.  He further made the point that only two local authorities in the Country were actually in favour of the proposal.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority

Councillor Tuthill highlighted various examples of collaboration between the Police and Fire services eg the new Bromsgrove Police and Fire Station, new stations at Malvern, Worcester, Evesham and the Headquarters of the Fire Authority which were moving to the West Mercia Police Headquarters at Hindlip, Worcester which would result in some economies and integration of control systems eventually. There had already been significant savings from joint working: in 2010 expenditure was £32m and was now £31.7m.  Councillor Tuthill suggested that services should continue to collaborate further and then the situation should be reviewed in 3 years' time.

Officer from the Police Strategy and Reform Unit, Home Office (Jonathon Scanlan)

The Officer explained how:

·         Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) could make proposals to take over fire authority governance responsibilities within their police area;

·         PCCs prepared a business case and must consult with constituent fire authorities;

·         The Secretary of State decided on proposals;

·         If a constituent local authority  ...  view the full minutes text for item 225