Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority

MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE AND
POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE

MONDAY, 5 APRIL 2004

FIRE SERVICE HEADQUARTERS,
LIME GROVE AVENUE, CARMARTHEN

1 DECLARATION BY MEMBERS OF PERSONAL INTEREST

None were recorded

2 TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12TH JANUARY 2004

The minutes of the meeting held on 12th January 2004 were received and noted

3 MATTERS ARISING

Best Value Reviews

It was agreed to further discuss Member representation on the Best Value Reviews following the Authority AGM on 7th July 2004.

Councillor C Morgan referred to the current membership of the IRMP Member Working Group and suggested that the composition be increased to include one Member from each Unitary Authority. It was agreed that this could also be discussed further following the AGM.

4 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT – APRIL 03 – DECEMBER 04

The latest available quarterly return, identifying the Brigade’s performance against national Performance Indicators was received for consideration and it was noted that the sickness figures would be over target for the end of the year. Members were aware that the Personnel Committee were closely monitoring the sickness absence figures and had asked that all managers ensured that priority was given to managing attendance issues within the guidelines of the Authority’s Policies.

RESOLUTION

It was RESOLVED that the Performance Management Report be received and noted.

5 COMPLAINTS ANALYSIS

The complaints analysis received during the year from April to December were received and it was noted that the total had risen compared with the same period in previous years, with a corresponding fall in letters of appreciation. Although this could be in part a consequence of a fall in public perception following the industrial dispute, there appeared to be no evidence to suggest this. County Commanders were reminded of the need to forward letters of appreciation to QIST to enable a more accurate picture of perception to be achieved as receipt of these had increased within the last two months but were not being passed on to QIST for analysis. A more in depth analysis of complaints would be available to members once the year-end statistics and information were available, detailing the action taken and the outcome of each complaint.

RESOLUTION

It was RESOLVED that the report be received and noted

6 CPA FOR THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE – CONSULTATION RESPONSE

As part of the modernisation agenda for Fire & Rescue Services in England, the Audit Commission had been developing a Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) framework based on CPA for local authorities. The initial development work had been done by means of four pilot CPA reviews and the Audit Commission was now intending to refine the process following consultation with all Fire & Rescue Authorities. A draft response to the consultation paper from Mid & West Wales was considered by Members.

RESOLUTION

It was RESOLVED that the draft response to the Audit Commission be approved

7 WPI FOR THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE IN WALES – UPDATE ON PROGRESS AND DRAFT RESPONSE

In tandem with the development of a Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) framework based on CPA for local authorities, the Audit Commission in Wales, in conjunction with stakeholders, were in the process of developing a WPI framework for the three Fire Authorities in Wales. Consideration was given to a draft response from Mid & West Wales to the Audit Commission on their briefing document.

The briefing paper for stakeholders in Wales and notes of the stakeholders meeting on 12 March 2004 were attached for information and update.

RESOLUTION

It was RESOLVED that the draft response to the Audit Commission in Wales be approved.

8 QUALITY IMPROVEMENT SUPPORT TEAM

Members received the Business Plan from the Quality Improvement Support Team for the forthcoming financial year, 2004/5, which identified the Team’s objectives and individual responsibilities. It was noted that the officers within the team were:

Service Development Officer, Mrs M Rees
Best Value Support Officer, Assistant Divisional Officer R Webborn
Shared resource of a bilingual Grade 1 / 2 Clerk/Typist.

A discussion took place as to whether the Team should reapply for the Charter Mark given the costs, including the hours of staff time, involved in the application. It was suggested that further discussions take place before a final decision is made.

RESOLUTION

It was RESOLVED that the report be received and noted.

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