Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority

MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE AND POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE

Monday, 14 July 2004

FIRE SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
LIME GROVE AVENUE, CARMARTHEN

In the absence of Councillor Mrs F M Jones, the Vice Chair Councillor Mrs P E Spender chaired the meeting.

1. DECLARATION BY MEMBERS OF ANY PERSONAL INTEREST

None were declared.

2. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE PERFORMANCE AND POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 5TH APRIL 2004

The minutes of the meeting held on 5th April 2004 were received and approved.

3. COMPLAINTS ANALYSIS TO END MARCH 2004

Mrs Margaret Rees presented the complaints analysis to the end of March 2004 and noted the following.

• the number of complaints upheld and not determined between April 2003 and March 2004 had increased compared to the period April 2001 to March 2002 and April 2002 to March 2003 but remained lower than the number received during the period April 2000 to March 2001;
   
• complaints regarding crews responding to alerters had increased this year compared to previous years and Commanders had been asked to remind crews of their responsibilities;
   
• a high satisfaction level had been maintained in respect of the courtesy shown during complaint handling;
   
• targets for acknowledging and investigating complaints were met in the majority of cases;
   
• letters of appreciation far outweighed the number of complaints received.

RESOLUTION

It was RESOLVED to accept the report on complaints.

4. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT (APRIL 03 – MARCH 04)

The latest available quarterly return which identified the Service’s performance against national Performance Indicators was received and considered.

RESOLUTION

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

5. DETAILS OF REVIEWS PLANNED FOR 04/05

To ensure that the Authority complied with the Local Government Act 1999 it was obliged to review all functions and services over a five year period. Initial guidance received from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to review the Training Development and Delivery Function as part of a prescribed timetable had subsequently been withdrawn but in view of the introduction of IPDS it was proposed to carry out a review of this function commencing in September 2004.

An overview of the current provision was given to Members along with the principles of IPDS.

The following reviews were planned for 2004/05.

It was further noted that as the Service would be subject to the National Assembly for Wales Circular 18/2002 with relation to the Wales Programme for Improvement, all future reviews would emanate from a number of various audit review processes beside the WPI, which would include Integrated Risk Management Planning.

RESOLUTION

It was RESOLVED to receive the report on the review programme for 2004-5 and that the following Members be nominated to serve as part of the review teams:

Training and Delivery

Councillor D R James
Councillor G G Clement/C Philpott (Chair and Vice Chair of Personnel)
Councillor J D A Thompson

Finance

Councillor C Morgan
Councillor T E Evans/J J J Davies (Chair and Vice Chair of Resources)

6. DETAILS OF REVIEWS PLANNED FOR 04/05

The Deputy Chief Fire Officer updated Members on progress made to date in restructuring the former Operational Risk Management Department into two front line service policy and planning sections, namely, Technical Services and Strategic Planning and Performance.

RESOLUTION

It was RESOLVED to receive the update on the Strategic Planning and Performance Department.

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