To receive a presentation from the Chief Fire Officer.
A copy of the consultation is attached :-
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Councillor Meurig Ll Davies, Chairman of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, Ms Helen McArthur, Assistant Chief Officer (Resources) and Ms Sian Morris , Assistant Chief Officer (Policy and Corporate Plan) to give a presentation as regards to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority 2019/20 Financial Update and Consultation.
The representatives of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service gave a brief outline of the public consultation that is taking place which is encouraging people to have their say on ensuring affordable fire and rescue services, before the draft budget for 2019/20 is set in December 2018. Each County Council in North Wales contributes towards the cost of providing fire and rescue service and the gap between the Authority’s estimated costs in 2019/20 and the level of financial contributions made by Councils in 2018/19 has reached almost £1.9m. Whilst all public services are facing difficult financial decisions the Fire and Rescue Authority has a duty to ensure it remains as efficient as possible and to make sure it provides the level and quality of fire and rescue services expected by the public without introducing an unacceptable level of risk. It was reported that efficiency savings have been undertaken to change the policy with regard to responding to automatic fire alarms and large animal rescue together with continued emphasis on reducing prevention of fire. The Officers noted that the contribution to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority by the Isle of Anglesey County Council in 2018/19 was £3,356,175 which is a percentage allocation of 10.02%. It is anticipated that an additional £190,272 contribution by this Authority is expected which would be an increase of £6.53 per average Band D dwelling Council Tax.
The Committee considered the information presented and made the following points :-
· Clarification was sought as to the work carried out by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Serve as regards to the home visits in respect of the installation of fire alarms. The Assistant Chief Officer (Policy and Corporate Plan) responded that preventative work in respect of home visits is paramount and if the Fire Service was to attend incident on the level before the presentative home visit the Fire Service the financial costs will be on a much high level. She emphasised that each household should have a fire alarm and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is on the forefront in installing alarms in households. Reference was also made to the collaboration working with the Police Authority. The Assistant Chief Officer gave examples of collaboration working with the Police Authority i.e. helping with searching for vulnerable missing persons, prevention of arson. She noted that collaboration working with the Police Authority can result in bringing financial costs to a lower level for both services;
· Clarification was sought that a suggestion was made during previous consultation on the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service budget that one of the two fire engines in Wrexham be taken out of service. The Assistant Chief Officer (Policy and Corporate Plan) responded that there are 2 fire engines in Wrexham and 1 retained and an opportunity arose two years ago to reduce one of the fire engines. However, due to strong public opinions within the Wrexham area the reduction in the fire engines at Wrexham did not materialise;
· Reference was made that whilst the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority has made efficiency savings over the years questions were raised whether the Authority was able to make further possible savings as local authorities are also are having to find savings within their own budgets. The Assistant Chief Officer (Resources) responded that whilst it is accepted that the public sectors are having to make immense savings but all the service of the Fire and Rescue Authority is statutory and all possible savings have been looked upon. She gave examples of collaboration working with other public services. Questions were further raised whether buildings within the ownership of the Fire & Rescue Service could be sold or shared with other public services. The Assistant Chief Officer (Resources) responded that the Fire & Rescue Service share an Estate Management Officer with the North Wales Police and a facility in Prestatyn is used jointly by both services. She further gave an example of joint working with the Police Authority that a training centre in Dolgellau needs to be upgraded which can be utilised by both services;
· Clarification was sought whether lessons have been learnt as regard to the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London and whether financial restrains could have been a factor which now equates to a financial burden on Fire Authorities. The Assistant Chief Officer (Resources) responded that North Wales do not have high rise flats on the scale of London. North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority resources as regards to concerns of flats is minimal compared to other areas. However, she noted that regulatory changes in terms of fire inspections will result from the enquire as regard to the tragedy at Grenfell Tower but at present it is uncertain as to the source of financial resources as regards to these possible changes.
The Chair thanked representatives of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority for attending the meeting.